Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Receives First Early Impressions from Journalists

The highly anticipated game from the emerging French studio Sandfall Interactive, titled Clair Obscur, is already making waves with its early reviews from the gaming community. Critics are lauding the game for its rich narrative depth, a mature storytelling approach, and exhilarating combat dynamics. Some reviewers are even drawing parallels between Clair Obscur and the iconic Final Fantasy series, suggesting it could be the next big thing in the realm of role-playing games.

RPG Gamer's reviewer was particularly struck by the impressive quality of experience delivered in just a few hours of gameplay. They noted that the debut project from Sandfall Interactive matches the standards set by veteran studios. If this level of quality is sustained throughout the game, there's a strong belief that Expedition 33 could be a contender at The Game Awards 2025.

An IGN journalist expressed an insatiable desire to dive deeper into the game's world and engage in more battles following their demo session. They were astounded by the accomplishments of such a youthful development team.

Kotaku's writer boldly predicts that Clair Obscur will ascend to the status of a turn-based classic, likening it to a modern Final Fantasy. They specifically praised the innovative integration of Quick Time Events (QTEs) into the traditional turn-based combat system, adding a fresh twist to the genre.

Across the board, reviewers have praised the game's stunning visual aesthetics and the sophisticated tone of its narrative.

Clair Obscur is slated for release on April 24, 2025, and will be available on current-generation consoles including PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series, as well as on PC via Steam.