Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

[Colorblind]

Let's get the obvious out of the way first. Clair Obscur is French for 'Twilight'.

Twilight: Expedition 33 for the westerners, as I am one. I'm not going to get into any spoilers, as this game has one of the best narratives I have ever experienced, but it is a very apt name.

For those of you who have already played it, I salute you. I myself am on a slow burn due to life. C'est la vie. That being said, I've just started my Act 2 campaign and will leave it at that.

If you're looking for a game to play, this is it. Flat out. OST, narrative, gameplay, voice acting. It actually is the full package. It's hard to believe in a time like this where most gaming studios 'lather rinse repeat,' that we get a genuinely refreshing experience. And it is an experience. It has one of the most compelling stories I've seen. Period.

Gameplay is engaging. It's turn-based, but it's not. Sure, your stats dictate which character goes at what point, as well as the enemies you fight. However, it keeps you locked in. You select an attack, and have to stay on point for button commands to make sure your selected action gets the full effect. Additionally, when it's the enemy turn, you must also be aware to dodge or parry during their attack. Netting successful parries rewards you, not only with 0 damage taken during the enemy phase, but also massive damage to the enemy during their turn as a result. The parry window is really tight, though. Tight, but very doable. Sure, you can more easily dodge, but as the saying goes, no risk, no reward. Get the parry locked down.

This game takes a lot of influence from Final Fantasy, and JRPGs as a whole. The ways you can build your characters for stringing together combos and team attacks is expansive. You're not pushed into the droll of doing this or doing that. There is great freedom to experiment and find your own style along the way. At the same time, it's simple enough where, if you just want to experience the story, then you're in a safe place. Sandfall studios really thought of everyone when making this game. The casual and the hardcore alike. As well as everyone in between.

This is one of the best games I've played. One of the best soundtracks I've heard. One of the best stories I've experienced, and I'm only just starting Act 2.

Anyway. Just wanted to share my thoughts on this. Don't take my word for it, though. Check it out for yourself.

[Minorikawa]

I tend to wonder how well-versed in JRPGs some folks tend to be when describing the combat, because it's weird not to see people reference Mario RPG, Paper Mario, or the Mario & Luigi games, which all have used the button-timing mechanics. Even pressing a specific button for a menu command is pulled right from them. What Clair Obscur does is tighten up the timings and dash a bit of Sekiro into knowing when to use each defensive maneuver. There's also some Persona 5 mixed in there.

Which isn't to dismiss what the game's doing. Anyone can imitate, few can make it feel fresh like this team did. I'm only in Act 1, also a late start, but I've been enjoying it greatly. I'm so glad to see someone make a game that feels both traditional and fresh while also living up to what the genre used to be known for: beauty and story-telling.

[Colorblind]

Oh yeah. I totally forgot about paper mario. It's been so long

[Corinthi]

Expedition 33 is a top tier RPG. The Dodge/Parry mechanics can be jarring, as defensive mechanics are rarely as punishing or as essential as Clair Obscur's, but it makes a turn based combat loop that keeps you very engaged, while still being able to take your time to strategize.

It sits alongside the Persona Series, Like a Dragon, and BG3 as my favorite modern RPGs, and it's story hit me harder than any of the others.

One of the criticisms I have about modern RPGs is they often take their time to get going. Expedition 33's pacing is great. The optional content can be tedious if you're trying to run down everything, but it's profoundly optional. The main throughline is well paced, leaned, and powerfully evocative.

Heartful, silly, sad, and epic. Just a stellar game.

[Minorikawa]

As someone that plays a lot of action games with parries, they actually felt really well implemented into a turn-based system. They really nailed that sense of satisfaction and feedback as well. It's honestly more satisfying to parry than dodge, though the timing is quite tricky. Common advice in games like Lies of P and Elden Ring, however, is not to look at the enemy's weapon, but the arm/limb swinging it, though it's more accurate to look at the joints connecting the main body and the limb holding the weapon. That will give you a better sense of when to hit parry, but they definitely know how to screw with your expectations.

I think what really stands out, however, is how each character has unique mechanics, a fresh take on character classes. Sciel in particular is fun and easy to break real quick. I was expecting to find it a bit overwhelming at first, but it's actually really easy to figure out how to utilize each character. Synergy is where things can get tricky, though.

I agree with you on the pacing, though. Not just of moving from one plot beat to the next, but also that the dialogue itself is never too verbose. They don't drown you in exposition, they don't try and put in Whedonisms left and right, each conversation feels natural and is as long as it needs to be. That's rare in RPGs these days, and I hope a lot of lessons are taken from Clair Obscur in that regard.

Still going through it. Haven't finished yet. Every game session is satisfying, though.

[Corinthi]

Agreed, despite how fantastical the setting and how each character is a veritable superhuman in their own right, the dialogue feels grounded, genuine. The humor isn’t forced and often springs forth naturally as a result of shared pain. 
 

And the game doesn’t spoon feed you its lore, but it’s there and deep for you to delve into as you like. 

Plus, you can kit out your elemental sorceress in a beret and sunglasses. 10/10. No notes. 

[ScreamingBirb]

I've been loving it, I just made it to act 3 though and everything is kicking my ass... Still enjoying every bit of it though!