Among the most exciting games launching this year is Clair Obscure: Expedition 33, a unique RPG that blends deep narrative with stylish turn-based combat. The game lives up to its name—Expedition 33—and tells one of the most intriguing stories in recent memory. In this world, a godlike Painter kills people every year by painting an age into the sky. Anyone who reaches that age dies instantly. You and your team must stop the death of 33-year-olds by defeating the Painter.
Release Date and Platforms
Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 launches on April 23 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S with a base price of $50. It will also be available day one on Game Pass at no additional cost. A Deluxe Digital Edition is priced at $60 across all platforms.
PC System Requirements
Minimum Requirements:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-8700 / AMD Ryzen 5 1600X
- RAM: 8 GB
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 Ti 8GB / AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 8GB
- Storage: 55 GB
- Resolution: 1080p at 30 FPS
Recommended Specs:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-11700K / AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- RAM: 16 GB
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 8GB / AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT 16GB
- Storage: 55 GB
- Resolution: 1080p at 60 FPS
The Story and Setting
Set in the fictional city of Lumiere, life and death depend on the will of the Painter, a mysterious and powerful being who paints an age in the sky. Anyone who reaches that age dies instantly. The number is getting lower every year. In response, humanity regularly sends groups on a mission to defeat the Painter.
You control the members of Expedition 33, a team that’s dangerously close to the target age. The journey starts with four survivors: Maelle, her brother Gustave, Lune, and Sciel. Maelle, now 16, lost her parents under mysterious circumstances at age three. Gustave is an engineer determined to protect his home. Lune is a mage who seeks to understand the Painter’s motives. Sciel is a charming warrior with a dark past.
As the team gets closer to their goal, friendships and rivalries form. With secrets unfolding, the truth behind the Painter might surprise everyone—but only time will tell once the full game releases.
Gameplay Overview
Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 is a turn-based RPG with elements of real-time combat, similar to series like Persona or Final Fantasy. While most actions come from a menu, players can press quick-time buttons to deal bonus damage, block enemy attacks, or dodge. Missing these prompts weakens your moves or increases damage taken.
Combat tools include powerful weapons that inflict status effects like poison or bleed. Each party member has a role: Sciel focuses on melee, Lune handles ranged magic and debuffs, while Maelle and Gustave specialize in healing.
Battles follow a visible turn order on-screen. While time isn’t a factor, carefully planning your moves and synchronizing team abilities is key to success.
Exploration and World Design
Outside of combat, players explore beautiful and whimsical fantasy environments, including bustling cities and magical landscapes. Like Final Fantasy games, you’ll unlock new means of transportation like boats or aircraft, opening access to fresh areas as the journey progresses.
Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 promises a richly told story, stylish visuals, and tactical depth. For fans of thoughtful, emotionally driven RPGs, it could be one of 2024’s most memorable releases.
