If you thought turn-based combat was snooze-worthy, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will flip that notion within a short time. Imagine the punishing thrill of a Souls-like game, but with turn-based strategy that’s supercharged by real-time dodges, parries, and free-aim attacks. Every encounter feels like a part chess match, part high-octane duel. And it’s not just the combat that hooks you—the game comes with an emotional plot, memorable characters, a unique storyline and a world so vivid you’ll swear you can smell the rain-soaked cobblestones. Trust us, this is the game that will change your mind about “boring” turn-based RPG games.
What Type of Game Is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a ground-breaking turn-based RPG that injects real-time mechanics into every battle. Rather than selecting your actions and waiting, you’re actively aiming spells, timing parries, and dodging on the fly—even during enemy turns. The result? A rhythm that feels more like a Souls-style duel than a traditional JRPG. Strategy remains king—you’ll need to manage cooldowns, exploit elemental weaknesses, and coordinate your party’s unique skill sets—but the real-time layer keeps your reflexes sharp and your adrenaline pumping. It’s a radical evolution of turn-based combat, making each fight both tactical and exciting at the same time.
Why Is It Called Clair Obscur?
The title “Clair Obscur” comes from the French idea of “light and dark,” inspired by a painting technique called chiaroscuro. This technique uses strong contrasts between light and shadow to create depth and drama. In the game, this theme is everywhere— you’ll explore bright, colorful plazas and dark, creepy catacombs lit only by dim lanterns. The story also plays with these contrasts, showing characters facing tough choices between things like sacrifice and selfishness, or hope and despair. The name fits the story quite perfectly, reflecting the balance between light and shadow, both in the visuals and the story.
How Many People Made Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?
The core development team for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 numbered around 30 passionate developers which include—designers, programmers, artists, and writers. May sound hard to believe right? Because even some major AAA titles where thousands of people are involved usually fail to deliver this kind of immersion and gaming experience.
Compare Clair Obscur with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, where millions of dollars were spent in marketing alone. Yet it sold lesser copies and failed to come up with anything new or groundbreaking.
The game began in Unreal Engine 4 and eventually migrated to Unreal Engine 5 mid-development, allowing the team to leverage cutting-edge rendering, more lifelike character animations, and seamless environmental effects. The small but mighty studio’s focused collaboration resulted in a polished, visually stunning RPG.
How long is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?
To complete the main story of Expedition 33, you will need to invest around 30 hours, more or less.
Why Clair Obscur’s Story Stands Out Among RPG Games Best in Narrative
The game does an excellent job of teasing out her true nature, creating a sense of tension and intrigue that propels you forward in the journey. You’ll find yourself constantly trying to piece together fragments of lore, reading between the lines of character interactions, and interpreting the environment itself to understand what drives this mysterious antagonist. Is she simply a bloodthirsty villain, or is there more to her actions that remain hidden beneath layers of darkness?
In the crowded field of RPG games best known for sprawling open worlds or loot-driven progression, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stakes its claim through tight, purposeful design. Side quests aren’t filler—they reveal character backstories or unlock powerful artifacts. Every skill point matters, shaping unique builds rather than offering cookie-cutter stat boosts. It’s an RPG that keeps you laser-focused on its rich narrative and strategic depth, which is why it will make its mark among RPG games best of 2025, or maybe even of the decade!
RPG Games Turn Based: A New Spin on an Old Genre
Whether you love RPG games turn based or dislike them, this game shall have your expectations shattered. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 preserves the classic turn order and party management players adore but layers in real-time aiming, dodging, timed parries, and interruptible enemy turns. No longer do you just watch text prompts unfold, but every command unfolds in a living, breathing battlefield where your skill and timing amplify your strategic choices. It’s a hybrid system that feels like the next logical evolution for RPG games turn based and action games alike.
Perfect for those who love Fantasy Games: An Epic World You’ll Want to Explore
For anyone who savors the fantasy genre, be it movies, comics, novels or fantasy games, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 delivers a masterclass in world-building. Even if you are not into video games, but into the fantasy genre, this game will definitely draw you.
The game’s world pulls you in with its mix of political intrigue and chilling horrors. You’ll explore everything from grand castles full of secrets to eerie forests bathed in moonlight, where danger lurks in the shadows. The creatures you face tell their own stories—some are tragic revenants weighed down by their past, while others are towering nightmares that just want to devour you!
Each encounter feels alive, thanks to the expanimations that bring every movement and attack to life. What makes Expedition 33 exceptional among fantasy games is its world-building, which is just as compelling, with pieces of the story revealed through scattered journals, subtle clues in the environment, and heartfelt moments with the characters. It’s a world that feels alive, with layers of mystery and history waiting to be uncovered, keeping you eager to see what’s around the next corner.
Where to Play Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Good news for gamers across platforms! Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available on Steam for $29.99 (approximately ₹2,500 in India). That’s a fair price for a game offering groundbreaking turn-based combat, an emotional story, and unforgettable characters.
For console players, the game is priced at $34.99 (around ₹2,900 in India) for both PS5 and Xbox. However, Xbox and PC players have an added advantage: the game is part of Xbox Game Pass. This means subscribers can jump straight into the action without spending extra—a great move by the developers to make the game more accessible.
With seamless performance and stunning visuals on PS5 and Xbox, the game delivers an experience that’s worth every penny. Whether you’re on PC, PS5, or Xbox, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 ensures that players everywhere can embark on this epic journey without breaking the bank.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 isn’t just another RPG; it’s a genre-redefining adventure that proves turn-based combat can be as thrilling as any action game. With its innovative mechanics, emotionally charged narrative, and stunning fantasy world, this is one expedition you can’t afford to miss.
If you love RPG games, check out our review/analysis of games like Witcher 3, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
Check out our article on the best graphics cards in 2025, if you are thinking of a PC upgrade.
