Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Receives First Reviews

The upcoming title from emerging French studio Sandfall Interactive has started receiving early reviews from gaming press. Critics are lauding the game for its sophisticated storytelling, nuanced tone, and exhilarating combat system, with some drawing comparisons to a contemporary Final Fantasy experience.

Critical Acclaim for Emerging Developers

An RPG Gamer reviewer noted how impressive it was for these new developers to deliver a comparable experience within just a few hours to what seasoned studios achieve after decades in the industry. If Expedition 33 maintains this quality throughout, it could become a strong contender at The Game Awards 2025.

An IGN journalist reported being deeply engaged - reluctant to stop playing after the demo session concluded. They expressed eagerness to explore more of the game's world and participate in additional combat scenarios, equally astonished by what the young development team accomplished.

Predictions for Lasting Impact

The Kotaku contributor went so far as to predict Clair Obscur could establish itself as a turn-based classic - positioning it as a potential new Final Fantasy. They particularly praised the innovative integration of QTE mechanics into traditional turn-based combat systems.

Multiple reviews have emphasized the title's striking visual aesthetic and the mature sophistication of its narrative approach.

Clair Obscur is scheduled for release on April 24, 2025, for current-generation consoles (PS5 and Xbox Series) and PC via Steam.