Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Receives First Early Impressions from Journalists

The highly anticipated game from the young French studio Sandfall Interactive, titled Clair Obscur, is already making waves in the gaming community. Early reviews from prominent gaming media outlets have showered the game with praise for its deep narrative, mature tone, and exhilarating combat, with some reviewers even drawing comparisons to a modern Final Fantasy.

RPG Gamer's reviewer was particularly impressed by the fact that Clair Obscur, the debut project from these young developers, delivers an experience comparable to that of a game from a studio with decades of experience, all within just a couple of hours. If this quality is sustained throughout the entire game, Expedition 33, as it's also known, stands a strong chance of being a contender at The Game Awards 2025.

IGN's journalist was left wanting more after the demo session ended, eager to delve deeper into the game's world and engage in further battles. They were astounded by the achievements of such a youthful development team.

Kotaku's author went as far as to predict that Clair Obscur will become a turn-based classic, likening it to a new Final Fantasy. They particularly admired the innovative integration of QTE mechanics into traditional turn-based combat, adding a fresh twist to the genre.

Reviewers across the board have also commended the game's stunning visual style and the mature tone of its narrative, further solidifying its appeal.

Clair Obscur is slated for release on April 24, 2025, and will be available on current-gen consoles (PS5 and Xbox Series) as well as PC via Steam.