Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 whisks you to Lumiere, a jaw-dropping world blending Belle Époque France with eerie fantasy. Released in April 2025 by Sandfall Interactive, this JRPG pits Expedition 33 against The Paintress, a mysterious figure who erases people by painting their age on a distant tower. With Andy Serkis and Jennifer English lending their voices, the story hits hard. But does the gameplay match the hype? I’ve played through it, and here’s my take on its highs, lows, and everything in between to help you decide if it’s worth your time.
A World That Steals Your Breath
Lumiere feels like stepping into a painting. Its Belle Époque-inspired cities, with art nouveau flourishes and dreamlike landscapes, are a visual feast. The story follows Expedition 33, a group racing to stop The Paintress before she paints “33” and wipes out everyone that age. Andy Serkis’ voice acting adds raw emotion, while Jennifer English grounds the cast. Themes of mortality and hope weave through every scene, making exploration feel like flipping through a tragic, beautiful storybook.
Combat: A Bold Idea That Stumbles
The game mixes turn-based strategy with real-time dodging and parrying, aiming for fresh, dynamic battles. Sounds cool, right? In practice, it’s clunky. Timing cues for real-time moves are vague, and the high difficulty feels punishing. Battles often boil down to trial-and-error, which can sap the fun. Story mode helps, but even then, combat lacks the polish of other JRPGs like Persona 5.
Exploration and Characters: A Mixed Bag
Exploring Lumiere is a blast. The overworld map sprawls with secrets, and self-contained zones keep things manageable. No random encounters mean you choose your fights, but skip too many, and you’ll hit level gaps. Later, riding the mythical Esquie makes zipping around a thrill.
You control six characters, each with unique skills and stories. Leveling up and unlocking Pictos—swappable passive abilities—lets you tweak builds for fun combos. The Lumina system adds temporary boosts, spicing up strategy. But here’s the catch: inventory limits stink. Potions are scarce, and you only restock at checkpoints, making long treks a headache.
Tech Talk
On my PC (Windows 11, NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti, 16GB RAM), the game runs like a dream—no crashes, no lag. Sadly, no Steam Deck support, so you’re stuck at your desk or console.
Pros and Cons
Aspect
Pros
Cons
Story & Setting
Stunning Belle Époque visuals, deep story
Can feel heavy for some players
Combat
Creative hybrid system
Clunky controls, steep difficulty
Exploration
Gorgeous world, no random battles
Level gaps if you skip fights
Characters
Unique skills, fun progression
Annoying inventory limits
Technical
Smooth on PC
No Steam Deck support
FAQs
How do I get better at combat in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33? Practice real-time moves like dodging on weaker foes first. Mix Pictos to boost your team’s strengths, like pairing healers with defensive buffs.
What are Pictos, and how do I use them effectively? Pictos are passive abilities you can swap between characters. Pick ones that match your playstyle—damage for attackers, shields for tanks—and experiment often.
Can I adjust the game’s difficulty? Yep! Choose Story for a chill experience, Expeditioner for balance, or Expert for a brutal challenge. Story mode’s great for enjoying the narrative.
Will I miss anything if I rush through? Totally. Items, dialogue, and achievements like the “Crimson Uniform” outfit are easy to skip. Chat with NPCs and explore every nook to avoid missing out.
How’s the setting different from other JRPGs? Most JRPGs lean into fantasy or sci-fi, but Clair Obscur channels Belle Époque France with art nouveau flair, creating a fresh, grounded vibe.
Wrapping It Up
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a visual and narrative gem, with Lumiere’s Belle Époque charm and Andy Serkis’ voice acting stealing the show. But its clunky combat and inventory woes can frustrate. If you’re a JRPG fan who loves rich stories and can stomach some rough edges, dive in—Story mode’s your friend. Curious? Grab it on Steam or check out more at Bandai Namco’s official site.
