From the very first striking image of a shattered Eiffel Tower, Montpellier-based Sandfall Interactive’s debut game feels unmistakably French, with its Belle Epoque aesthetic set in a world of constant yet beautiful decay. It also imagines an alternate timeline for what Final Fantasy 16 could have been if it hadn’t abandoned the series’ traditions for high fidelity and maturity—or, alternatively, what a sequel to the Xbox 360 cult classic Lost Odyssey might look like. Interestingly, its theme is nearly the opposite of Mistwalker’s exploration of immortality. Instead, the people of Lumiere literally have their lives numbered, as each year a mysterious god-like entity called the Paintress paints a number on a distant monolith that instantly extinguishes everyone of that age. This dark and unique story makes it a perfect title to buy cheap games if you’re drawn to thought-provoking narratives.

When the story begins, that number has reached 33, meaning the older generations have long since vanished. Faced with this bleak reality, the citizens have mostly resigned themselves to their fate, even holding an annual festival to honor and say goodbye to those about to ‘gommage.’ However, an expedition made up of members whose turn is next sets out on a final act of rebellion—to reach and kill the Paintress in an attempt to end this deadly cycle.

A High-Stakes Journey with No Promises of Survival

A group of world-weary 32-year-olds, each having endured unimaginable loss, is a refreshing shift from the typical wide-eyed teenage heroes common in JRPGs—though they maintain just as sharp a sense of style.

However, as hinted by the many expeditions that failed before them, this mission is essentially a suicide run. Those high stakes hit hard right after the prologue, when upon reaching the mysterious Continent, your expedition members face the first of many shocking twists, making it clear that survival for everyone is far from guaranteed. It’s the kind of intense experience that makes you want to buy PS5 games with high tension and drama.

The Thrill of Perfect Parries and Smart Counters

The intense stakes of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s narrative are reflected in its hybrid approach to turn-based combat. Although its command menus are as visually dynamic as those in Persona 5 or Metaphor: ReFantazio, and its action-based inputs might remind you of Paper Mario, a closer comparison would be Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (it even incorporates some FromSoftware-style features like limited healing that only restores after resting at checkpoints, which also respawn enemies). This means the game tests your nerves, making every battle feel anything but easy.

Each party member has distinct mechanics to master, and there are straightforward QTE prompts to enhance abilities, but the real test lies in defending against enemy attacks through dodging or parrying. Parrying is clearly more rewarding because it not only allows you to launch a counterattack but also builds AP, giving you an edge when it’s your turn to strike by enabling more powerful, costly moves.

Countering party-wide expedition attacks feels even more rewarding since all three active members combine their damage in return. The downside, of course, is that missing the exact timing can result in taking heavy damage, especially if you struggle to keep up with a series of enemy strikes.

Dodging, on the other hand, offers a wider timing window, and if you misjudge an enemy’s attack, there’s even a chance to dodge again just in time. Once I accepted that I wasn’t going to master parrying, it became smarter to dodge long combos (which are riskier since counters only trigger if you perfectly parry every hit) until I was confident I had memorized the attack patterns.

But there’s nothing like the thrill of pulling off a perfect parry. It’s also helpful that several other, less demanding counter mechanics—linked to specific move types—are introduced later, giving you more chances to deal damage outside your own turn.

Cinematic Combat Meets Complex Customization

Like many RPGs, both party members and enemies are vulnerable to elemental weaknesses and status effects, though these aspects ultimately take a backseat to parrying. Aside from instances where enemies absorb certain elements, I didn’t find it essential to have the perfect attack or party setup to exploit weaknesses, especially since there isn’t a detailed bestiary to consult. Instead, it’s more important to carefully observe how enemies move on screen.

As your expeditioners become visibly dirtied, bloodied, and bruised the more their health drops, it really emphasizes that every hard-fought battle is earned, and that these defensive mechanics aren’t just optional features — even lowering the difficulty to story mode won’t let you off easily. However, these often-lengthy fights are rewarding thanks to generous XP rewards, usually enough to level up at least one party member, so the game avoids becoming a mindless grind like some JRPGs. Each area feels balanced, with just enough battles to challenge you instead of making you slog through hundreds.

Where the game truly excels is in turning enemy turns into chances for you to take control. All enemy attacks can be dodged or parried, while special moves can be avoided by jumping or stopped with a Gradient Attack. Successfully parrying every hit lets you strike back with an attack that often deals more damage than your regular moves — the same applies to jumping and using Gradient Attacks.

This system adds depth and flair to the combat, transforming enemy attack sequences into a dramatic show that requires precise button timing. It’s especially rewarding to counterattack after flawlessly parrying a tough series of strikes, and once you’ve mastered their moves, you might find yourself looking forward to enemy attacks more than your own.

Outside of combat, you can customize your loadout using Pictos and Luminas. These two interconnected features can be confusing initially, and the menu housing them doesn’t help clarify things.

The Need for Better Navigation Tools

If battles represent the most innovative part of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, its throwbacks to classic JRPG design—like including a world map you can freely run around on—feel quite refreshing compared to today’s tendency toward overwhelming content bloat. Given the world’s already impressionistic and abstract nature, where you explore “underwater” areas on foot and gaze at environments floating and fractured in suspended animation, the presence of realistic-looking characters on a diorama-sized map never felt out of place. I almost wish Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth had taken this approach instead of bombarding me with open-world distractions that interrupt the story.

That’s not to say optional content is missing—there are plenty of secrets to uncover both in the overworld and dungeon zones. You’ll find interesting collectibles like journal entries from past expeditions revealing how those explorers met their fate, outfits and hairstyles for your party members, and treasure chests that cleverly utilize the guns you can free-aim during battle. Most of the toughest optional challenges, however, are wisely saved for the endgame or postgame, ensuring the 32-hour main storyline isn’t weighed down by side quests that feel anything but optional.

It does feel a bit strange that the game includes a form of social links—a hallmark of modern JRPGs—that takes place while resting at camp in the overworld, but which only appears fairly late in the story.

Though the quality of these conversations isn’t bad, they come across as somewhat unnecessary and awkward compared to the more natural story cutscenes at camp that showcase the evolving emotional bonds between expedition members, often following tough battles or shocking revelations. Since these social links mostly involve simply talking to party members one at a time without any direct player actions to strengthen relationships, they feel somewhat forced.

Personally, I would have preferred a more practical modern feature like a mini-map for dungeons. I sometimes found myself disoriented, especially when routes to secrets looped back to previously visited areas, or when battles transported me to separate arenas—after which I returned to the map not always facing the same direction. Although flashing items and triggered dialogue hint that you’re on the right path, it’s frustrating to have to retrace your steps through the same area.

With its stylish turn-based battle system featuring counterattacks, enjoyable exploration, a variety of customization options, and a superb story, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 never misses a beat. While its narrative-driven content and outstanding combat stand out the most, Sandfall Interactive has crafted a game so captivating and polished that every aspect feels top-notch.

The same can be said for its appearance and performance—at least on PS5 Pro. Our playthrough was mostly done in Performance Mode, where the game consistently ran at a smooth 60 frames per second. The visuals are stunning, both in cutscenes and gameplay, with each location bringing its own unique atmosphere and color scheme. The underwater sections of Flying Waters and the icy mountain surrounding Monoco’s Station feel like completely different worlds, yet the overworld map of The Continent seamlessly connects them.

There is some noticeable texture pop-in as you move between landmarks, which can be a bit distracting, but aside from that, the game ran perfectly for us. If you prefer higher resolution, Quality Mode allows you to enjoy Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s world even more. And with a fantastic soundtrack featuring over 150 tracks, the game is a true feast for the senses.

Minor Visual Hiccups in an Otherwise Flawless Presentation

These minor criticisms fade away when you’re caught up in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s epic story, which tackles heavy themes like loss, life, and the determination to keep going despite overwhelming odds. The experience is further elevated by a beautifully sweeping score, with its enchanting melodies accompanied by heartbreaking French soprano vocals that are as memorable as the music from Nier Automata.

However, like that cult series, this isn’t some one-dimensional, overly dramatic attempt to force an emotional response. Instead, there’s a genuine reason to care for every member of the expedition, supported by a fantastic script and perfectly matched casting, featuring screen veterans like Andy Serkis and acclaimed voice actors like Ben Starr delivering nuanced performances.

My personal highlight is Maelle, voiced by the excellent Jennifer English (also listen for a few other Baldur’s Gate 3 alumni), who, despite being only half the age of the other members, holds her own with a sharp, sardonic wit.

Heartfelt Humor Amid High Stakes

Even though the premise may sound gloomy on paper, the game often breaks away from typical dark, murky fantasy by adding more vibrant colors. In the tradition of the best JRPGs, it’s not afraid to get a bit weird and whimsical with some of the strange creatures found on the Continent, including a large being that also serves as your land, sea, and air transportation—actually, maybe even triples as all three.

Considering the life-and-death stakes you face, there’s a special kind of magic when unexpected moments of humor bring a smile to your expedition members—that’s the future you’re fighting for, after all. Based on this confident and captivating debut, I’m certain that Sandfall Interactive has a very bright future ahead.

In the world of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, every year a towering figure called The Paintress paints a new number on her monolith, causing everyone of that age to undergo “gommage” (French for “erase”), turning into wisps of ashes and flower petals. It’s a heartbreaking event that the people of Lumiere gather to witness annually, delivering a collective citywide blow. As a result, each year a new expedition is sent out to try and stop The Paintress from painting again. This is where you join the members of Expedition 33 after a difficult start on their mission to stop the evil Bob Ross-like figure before more people gommage. If you’re looking to buy adventure games with intense storylines like this, there are some great options available right now.

From that point, the world gradually opens up to you, although I hesitate to call this a true open-world RPG. There is an overworld map that’s open, but it’s filled with portals leading to what I would describe as semi-linear levels. Its structure reminds me of the recent God of War games, but with loading screens between areas. Some zones warn you before entering that you are underpowered for what’s ahead, and others remain inaccessible until you gain the necessary ability to overcome certain obstacles.

A Surreal Masterpiece of Art-Inspired Design

No matter where you decide to go or the order in which you explore, one thing is guaranteed: you’ll experience some of the most breathtaking artistry I’ve ever encountered in a video game. At every turn, I was amazed by surreal visuals, whether it was underwater cities floating in the sky, white-hot smelting swords left by colossal beings, or countless other stunning scenes that make you want to shop video games with amazing graphics like these.

The art direction in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 might only be surpassed by its character design, which artistically rivals some of FromSoftware’s finest work. Most levels and characters draw inspiration from art itself, and this literal yet surreal method of creating art inspired by art gives off strong Alice in Wonderland-like vibes. It’s gorgeous, brilliant, and could really use a photo mode added after launch.

Stat Systems that Shape Every Battle

As you explore the beautiful world, gradually making your way toward The Paintress, you’ll face dozens of different enemies blocking your path. Combat is turn-based with active elements like parrying and dodging, along with skills that require quick time events (QTEs) to execute successfully.

The game also features a combat timeline—a common element in turn-based RPGs—where each character takes turns, sometimes multiple turns, based on their position in the timeline. Each character has attributes that can be increased with every level-up, including a Speed rating, which affects how often they act during combat. They also have ratings for Vitality, Might, Defense, and Luck, which determine their health, attack power, armor, and critical hit chance respectively.

Difficulty Spikes and the Need for a Middle Ground

Mastering the art of dodging and parrying enemy attacks is crucial for your survival and success in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Both actions require well-timed button presses and are clearly advantageous since they let you avoid damage. Parries offer the added benefit of allowing you to strike back and deal heavy damage, though they’re generally more difficult to execute. Other real-time elements include button prompts during certain skills to boost their effectiveness, as well as the ability to jump over and counter some enemy attacks.

This creates a combat system that keeps you alert. Winning depends not only on strategic thinking but also on your reflexes, and you’ll be at a serious disadvantage if you can’t consistently avoid enemy strikes. Fortunately, difficulty settings are available for players who struggle with the real-time aspects and prefer to focus on the story. Many will want to, as the narrative is genuinely engaging, supported by well-directed scenes and outstanding voice acting.

That said, I feel there might be a bit too much focus on parrying and dodging during combat. While the difficulty options are helpful, they could be improved. For instance, don’t be surprised if you occasionally get one-hit killed on the standard Expeditioner difficulty, while the next lower difficulty (Story) turns into an easy stroll. An Easy mode that fits between these two would likely be a welcome addition.

Evolving Combat Systems for Every Hero

Whenever you perform an attack or cast a spell, you need to set your own timing to maximize its effectiveness. Additionally, when you’re under attack, you have several options: dodge to avoid damage, parry to execute a powerful counterattack, jump to evade ground-based moving strikes, or use a strong block to defend against ultra-powerful, often life-threatening attacks. Playing well means landing counterattacks, gaining energy (AP) during other players’ turns, avoiding damage, and staying alive. But if you fail to read your opponent, your resources will quickly run out, making the fight much harder.

Each character also has a unique combat system that expands as the battle goes on. For example, Gustav builds up “charges” with his attacks, making his strikes stronger when fully charged. Maelle uses a system of fencing stances to boost her offense, defense, or both simultaneously. Lune harnesses elemental charges from her previous spells to enhance her next ones, while Sciel applies sun or moon charges that are consumed on subsequent attacks to increase damage output.

Turn-Based Combat with a Stylish, Action-Packed Twist

Each character also comes with their own weapons and skill trees, offering dozens of skills to customize your combat style. Success in battle relies heavily on creating synergies between party members, especially if you’re playing on standard difficulty or above. For example, I enjoyed using Marking Shot with one character to enable another to inflict greater burn damage during their turn.

You can only have three active party members at a time, but the others remain with you for story reasons and can be swapped in if your main team falls—something I experienced frequently on the default difficulty until I lowered it around the 10-hour mark. I found the timing windows for parries and QTEs too strict by default, combined with enemies dealing heavy damage. The easier difficulty better matched my pace and let me appreciate the game’s strengths despite my less-than-perfect reflexes as an older gamer.

Although I usually prefer action RPGs over turn-based ones, Clair Obscur perfectly blends turn-based mechanics with active combat elements. Whether attacking or defending, there’s always something to do, from timing perfect dodges to nailing attack windows for maximum damage. The expeditioners’ attacks are flashy and dramatic, adding a bit of Devil May Cry flair that makes combat feel more intense than it actually is. It was always satisfying to chain massive damage combos using complementary skills between party members and then see huge damage numbers after executing a slick flying sword move.

Beautiful Worlds, but Static Enemy Encounters

Outside of combat, you have full freedom to move in third-person and can even sprint past or around certain enemies if you’re not ready to fight. Honestly, I skipped quite a few battles to avoid wasting my revives or healing potions before reaching the next Expedition flag, which serve as checkpoints where you can save, heal, and restock potions. However, between these checkpoints, the health your party members have after fights is all you’ve got, so it’s wise to steer clear of huge, intimidating enemies if your team is barely hanging on.

That said, most battles aren’t avoidable, especially along the main story path. Still, there’s plenty to explore with optional bosses and hidden areas scattered throughout. Each level hides some challenging foes, even on the easiest setting.

The level design reminded me of games like Stellar Blade or the Souls series, where enemies roam or stand about but only attack when you get close enough to trigger combat. I’ve never been a fan of this style of world design, and Clair Obscur didn’t change my opinion here. Seeing enemies just hanging around the map feels a bit artificial. Luckily, the game’s outstanding art direction keeps the experience engaging throughout its roughly 40-hour campaign.

Standout Performances and a Lovable Gentle Giant

When battles begin, I not only appreciated the combat mechanics but also loved the epic combat music. It changes depending on the fight and features an unusual mix of instruments you don’t often hear together — like hard rock electric guitars, jazzy saxophones, and classical pianos. It really hits the mark, as the kids used to say. The background music when exploring isn’t any less impressive, with French vocals and cinematic, melancholic tunes. The main theme is so memorable that I caught myself humming it.

From an audio perspective, the standout is definitely the star-studded voice cast. Andy Serkis (The Lord of the Rings), Charlie Cox (Daredevil), Ben Starr (Final Fantasy XVI), Jennifer English (Baldur’s Gate III), Kirsty Rider (Sandman), and Shala Nyx (The Old Guard) all deliver fantastic performances that elevate Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from a typical RPG to a must-play title. Though Ben Starr’s voice is incredibly sexy — seriously, I wish I sounded like him — my favorite character is Esquie, the bashful giant you may recognize from trailers as your mode of transportation across the overworld. He provides perfectly timed comic relief and is genuinely charming.

That said, I really dislike how the characters’ mouths move in this game. Despite the actors’ powerful performances, the robotic, out-of-sync lip movements break immersion. I may be nitpicking, but for a game that looks and sounds this great, those mouth animations were surprisingly distracting.

A Stunning Debut and a Must-Play RPG

In the end, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an outstanding turn-based RPG that combines all the right elements to become a genuine piece of video game artistry. What’s most remarkable is that this epic experience, offering dozens of hours of gameplay, was created by a team of about 30 developers and is priced at just $50. Other studios might need hundreds of people and charge 50% more for a similar scale. I agree with nearly every creative choice made by Sandfall Interactive, except for the level design—and, of course, those terrible mouth animations. Still, there’s no question they’ve delivered a true success on their very first try.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a powerful debut from Sandfall Interactive. Its world is filled with engaging turn-based combat, flawless art direction, and voice acting on par with feature films. The outcome is an incredible work of video game art. This game is worth far more than its price tag, and I highly recommend it.

Each day, I wake up to some piece of news threatening to harm me and those I care about. Politicians are tearing down social programs, a world that once embraced globalization is breaking apart again, and an older generation appears set on deciding the future of the next for as long as possible. Finding hope in all this can be tough, but Expedition 33 makes an important point: working together with like-minded people offers comfort and a way to resist those overwhelming powers. While one person alone might not achieve much, we keep going.

When Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 captures that theme both in story and gameplay, it becomes one of the year’s best games. As the first project from developer Sandfall Interactive, it’s a remarkably ambitious and impressive RPG that many genre fans will love. The ambition brings some flaws, but most of Expedition 33’s risks succeed and emphasize the idea that teamwork is essential for change and making your mark.

A Harrowing Beginning: Loss, Despair, and the Spark to Continue

In the world of Expedition 33, a being known as The Paintress paints a new number in the sky every year. Everyone older than that number vanishes in an event called the Gommage. Each year, groups of people set out to “The Continent” to try and stop the Paintress, but none have succeeded. The story starts on a somber note, following a scientist named Gustave who watches the love of his life disappear right before him. Along with his adopted ward Maelle and some friends, he joins the expedition to The Continent, hoping to uncover secrets as thrilling as when people buy PC games that transport them to entirely new worlds.

The first hour or so of the game is spent getting to know the various members of the Expedition, which makes it even more shocking when Expedition 33 is attacked by an old man as soon as they arrive on the continent. Gustave survives and contemplates ending his life, but his friend Lune finds him before that happens and encourages him to find Maelle and keep going. It’s one of the most emotional and gripping openings I’ve experienced in recent games, setting the tone for a relatable yet fantastical journey.

Although there’s a lot I can’t reveal due to spoilers, each member of the party has considerable hidden depth, and the plot twists can rival those in games like Final Fantasy VII. Expedition 33 joins the ranks of games like The Last of Us Part II, Nier, and Final Fantasy VII Remake that aren’t afraid to challenge players both narratively and thematically. This is supported by outstanding performances from actors such as Charlie Cox from Daredevil: Born Again, Ben Starr from Final Fantasy XVI, and Jennifer English from Baldur’s Gate 3.

That readiness to challenge the player means some parts of the narrative may be divisive, and I found the story more moving in the first half than in the second. Thematically, Expedition 33 shifts after each act, for better and for worse. I really connected with the story when it centered on finding the will to live, resisting, and pushing forward in the first act. Later, it moves toward exploring how we cope with grief, whether through action or art.

While these ideas are thought-provoking, the later parts of the story left me wishing for the stronger emotions I experienced early on. Still, I respect that Expedition 33 isn’t afraid to challenge me as a player, immerse me in a unique world with surprising lore, and present an unpredictable story I could relate to. Even if I don’t agree with every choice made, Expedition 33 is definitely a thought-provoking game I won’t forget anytime soon.

Powerful Performances Elevate the Poetic Dialogue

I mentioned the visuals, and for the most part, they’re breathtaking. Using Unreal Engine 5 and its dynamic lighting, the game creates dreamlike scenes that often left me speechless. The environments, heavily inspired by late 19th-century art, twist and change with an apocalyptic atmosphere caused by the Paintress’ initial acts of violence, known as the fracture, which devastated France. The land was left ruined—train tracks uprooted, cities destroyed. It’s a kind of beautiful destruction.

If you’re noticing similarities between the game and the First World War, that’s intentional. That war ended the Belle Époque era and stopped the dreamers of that time, as men were sent on an expedition of sorts to try and halt a war machine that consumed the world’s youth like never before or since.

Despite the harshness of this fractured world, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is often stunning, with the game’s map divided into linear levels, each feeling very different. Sometimes you traverse mountainous areas dotted with blooming flowers, while other times you move through war-ravaged landscapes with crumbling buildings. The themes are grim, but the visuals are gorgeous.

This mostly applies to the character models, although some feel less polished compared to the overall presentation. Again, this can feel a bit off. The dialogue also tries to be poetic, heartfelt, and impactful, and usually succeeds, but sometimes stumbles by becoming overly heavy. This, however, doesn’t detract from the outstanding voice acting by a strong cast led by Andy Serkis, supported by Charlie Cox as Gustave, Ben Starr who consistently delivers, Jennifer English as the teenage Maelle, who shines like never before here, and Rich Keeble, who has some genuinely memorable moments.

Now that you have a sense of the world, characters, and themes involved, I can introduce what might be the best RPG battle system I’ve ever encountered. This may sound like an exaggeration, but this part of the game kept impressing me from the very start.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a JRPG that doesn’t feel particularly Japanese except during its turn-based combat.

In those battles, the game draws from many influences, combining them into a tactical system that not only thinks outside the box but also reshapes and reinvents it into something completely new. You lead a party of three heroes, each with six skills that can be swapped out as you level up and unlock more options.

Classic JRPG Spirit, Reimagined with a European Touch

Expedition 33 stands out as original in its storytelling, but its gameplay clearly pays homage to Japanese RPGs. It includes turn-based battles, a world map, deep abilities and skill systems, and all the other elements you'd expect from games like Final Fantasy or Persona. It’s fun to see these design ideas reimagined by a European studio making its debut, creating an impressive gameplay loop — though there’s still room to grow.

If you’ve played turn-based RPGs before, you’ll recognize the basics of Expedition 33’s combat. You fight enemies to build AP, which can be spent on abilities that eventually let you deal huge damage and win battles. Each party member has a large skill tree, giving players the freedom to customize their playstyle. What makes the game more intriguing is everything added on top of this foundation.

Dynamic Combat Through Unique Character Abilities

Sandfall Interactive did an excellent job making each party member feel unique. For instance, Maelle switches between three stances — Offensive, Defensive, and Virtuose — based on the abilities players use. Each stance has its own pros and cons, so playing Maelle effectively means mastering when to switch stances and how to use each skill well. Meanwhile, the mage character Lune builds up “Stains” with her abilities, which she then uses to further enhance her powers. Like the best party-based RPGs, your approach to combat changes depending on which character you’re controlling.

Although battles are turn-based, Expedition 33 demands real-time focus during fights. Every attack requires completing a quick-time event to maximize its impact, and all enemy attacks can be parried or dodged. Parrying is the primary way to gain AP, making it essential to master if you want to succeed in Expedition 33, even on its easiest difficulty. This can become exhausting during longer fights in the late game, so if timing is challenging for you in games, be aware that parrying is a key part of success. It would greatly improve accessibility if Sandfall added options to adjust parry and dodge timing windows in a future update.

There are even more gameplay systems to explore, such as the Lumina system. Players can equip three Lumina on each party member at a time, granting specific buffs. These can include gaining AP when dodging or even automatically reviving the first time a character dies. After completing four battles with that character, the Lumina becomes “mastered,” allowing all characters to equip that buff if they have enough points. This is where Expedition 33’s extreme character build depth really shines, although the menu for managing it can be overwhelming.

The Japanese RPG influence is also evident outside of combat. There’s a world map to explore that’s surprisingly large and packed with hidden bosses, items, and Lumina to find. At any point on the map, players can set up camp and talk to party members. These interactions unlock special abilities for each character and add a lot of depth and backstory to members like Sciel and Monoco. Individual levels are somewhat linear but succeed in delivering meaningful environmental storytelling through audio logs from previous explorers and checkpoints marked by flags left by those expeditions. This outside-of-battle presentation is reminiscent of PS2-era Final Fantasy, in a good way.

Expedition 33 is a genuine tribute to RPG history, made for fans of the genre. In a time when modern RPGs like Final Fantasy XVI often borrow heavily from western games to stay relevant, it’s refreshing to see Expedition 33 go the opposite way, as a western game paying homage to Japanese classics.

Mid-Budget Limitations, Boundless Creativity

Another aspect where Expedition 33 takes cues from Japanese-developed games is its presentation style. The UI is flashy, and attacks are shown through cinematic camera angles, much like Persona 5. Overall, Expedition 33 is a stunning, vibrant game with character designs that are both eccentric and charming. Even in a year filled with games boasting strong art direction, like Avowed and South of Midnight, Expedition 33 remains one of the most visually impressive. It also includes an outstanding soundtrack that I plan to add to my Spotify playlist as soon as it’s publicly released.

Unfortunately, the focus on style sometimes comes at the expense of substance. Specifically, some cinematic camera angles and overly detailed enemy animations make parrying more challenging. I often struggled to get the timing right for a parry when encountering a new enemy for the first time, especially when the camera was pulled far back from the actual action.

Sandfall Interactive wasn’t afraid to keep experimenting throughout Expedition 33’s entire journey. This is where the ambitions of this young team, and the fact that Expedition 33 is a mid-budget game, really show. For instance, the absence of maps for explorable areas can make it easy to get lost, especially in some of the larger, more visually complex locations. Each new enemy is innovative and challenges the designs of previous foes, while the story continuously shifts to explore fresh themes and ideas.

Sandfall Interactive wasn’t afraid to keep trying new things throughout Expedition 33’s whole adventure. That approach leads to some issues, but it’s also the game’s greatest strength. From its presentation to gameplay to narrative, Expedition 33 consistently exceeds expectations. It takes familiar RPG concepts shaped by Japanese developers but isn’t hesitant to add its own twist to those mechanics and how they’re presented, resulting in something unique.

A Fantastical Tale with Striking Modern Parallels

Expedition 33 tells a story that feels relevant to today’s world, even though it’s set in a fantastical realm filled with painters, lumina, and quirky creatures like the living, blimp-like airship Esquie. While playing Expedition 33 reminded me of many challenges facing our modern society, it also offers hope. Just as the game carries forward the legacy of classic RPGs to create a new direction for the genre, it inspires me not to feel defeated by the forces that seem to be working against our generation.