About Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Steam US/UK/EU)

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a dark fantasy turn-based RPG developed by Sandfall Interactive and released on April 24, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Set in a hauntingly beautiful world inspired by Belle Époque France, the story unfolds in the city of Lumière, where a mysterious figure known as the Paintress awakens once a year to paint a number on her monolith. Everyone of that age turns to smoke and vanishes. As the number approaches 33, a group of volunteers known as the 33rd Expedition, led by Gustave and Maelle, embarks on a perilous journey to end this fatal cycle.

The game combines traditional turn-based mechanics with real-time elements, allowing players to dodge, parry, and counter in combat. A free-aim system lets players exploit enemy weak points, while character growth includes leveling, branching skill trees, and a unique “Pictios” system for deeper customization. Exploration takes place across varied and imaginative biomes-from the Island of Visages to the Forgotten Battlefield-rendered in rich detail using Unreal Engine 5. A companion system allows recruitment of allies, each with distinct abilities that influence both combat and narrative outcomes.

The voice cast features standout performances from Charlie Cox as Gustave, Jennifer English as Maelle, and Andy Serkis as Renoir, adding emotional weight to the game’s central themes of fate, sacrifice, and the passage of time. The atmospheric soundtrack by composer Lorien Testard enhances the dramatic tone of the story. Despite some technical hiccups, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been widely praised for its unique aesthetic, emotionally resonant storytelling, and inventive gameplay, securing its place as one of the year’s most distinctive RPGs.