Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Receives First Early Impressions from Journalists

The eagerly anticipated game from the young French studio Sandfall Interactive, titled Clair Obscur, has started to receive glowing early reviews from the gaming media. Critics are lauding its rich narrative, mature themes, and exhilarating combat, with some even drawing comparisons to a modern Final Fantasy.

The reviewer from RPG Gamer was particularly struck by how the debut project from these novice developers managed to deliver an experience as compelling as that from a studio with years of experience, all within just a few hours. Should Clair Obscur maintain this momentum throughout its entirety, it stands a strong chance of clinching an award at The Game Awards 2025.

An IGN journalist, after experiencing the demo, was left wanting more, eager to delve deeper into the game's world and engage in additional battles. They expressed astonishment at the accomplishments of such a youthful development team.

The writer from Kotaku goes as far as to predict that Clair Obscur could become a classic in the turn-based genre, likening it to a new Final Fantasy. They praised the innovative integration of Quick Time Events (QTEs) into the traditional turn-based combat system.

Numerous reviewers have also commended the game's striking visual style and the sophisticated tone of its storytelling.

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