Zek Lu
RPGFanClair Obscur: Expedition 33 Review | RPGFan
Published 4/23/2025
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
99
+7 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalCritic Atlas
Making subjectivity useful.
PC / PS5 / Xbox Series X/S - 4/24/2025
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
A Belle Époque-inspired turn-based RPG with real-time combat mechanics about Expedition 33’s quest to stop the Paintress.
- Developer
- Sandfall Interactive
- Publisher
- Kepler Interactive
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Critic average
92
Average of 86 scored external reviews.
User average
87
Average of 6 saved user ratings.
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Story / character-drivenDefining · 1 player response + curated baseline
Atmosphere-driven / aesthetic identityDefining · 1 player response + curated baseline
Serious / dark / groundedStrongly · 1 player response + curated baseline
Combat / action-focusedStrongly · 1 player response + curated baseline
Strategic / planning-heavyStrongly · 1 player response + curated baseline
Systems / mechanics-drivenStrongly · 1 player response + curated baseline
Loot / progression-drivenStrongly · 1 player response + curated baseline
Unconventional / experimentalStrongly · 1 player response + curated baseline
Show 12 more descriptors
Side-content richModerately · 1 player response + curated baseline
Reflex / execution-heavyModerately · 1 player response + curated baseline
Exploration-drivenModerately · 1 player response + curated baseline
Punishing / high-pressureModerately · 1 player response + curated baseline
Buildcraft / customization-heavyModerately · 1 player response + curated baseline
Whimsical / playful / lightheartedSlightly · 1 player response + curated baseline
Highly replayableSlightly · 1 player response
Puzzle / logic-focusedSlightly · 1 player response + curated baseline
Short / focusedSlightly · 1 player response + curated baseline
Cozy / low-pressureNot present · 1 player response + curated baseline
Run-based / proceduralNot present · 1 player response + curated baseline
Multiplayer / socialNot present · 1 player response + curated baseline
Bars show a weighted description signal from player answers and curated baseline data.
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Review coverage
Critic signal strength
Numeric critic scoring uses full scored reviews once available. Review-in-progress scores act as temporary early signal only until full review scores exist. Unscored reviews still count as coverage, but they are not included in the critic average.
High confidenceMixed response
Critic avg
92
86 scored reviews
Total coverage
87
1 unscored review
Score range
70–100
Lowest to highest scored review
Signal shape
Mixed response
Score range is 21–30 points
Critic landscape
The critic average is 92 across 86 scored reviews, with a 30-point spread. That suggests a mixed critic response rather than a single clear read.
How to read this
The average may hide important disagreement. Check the individual review cards and score deltas to see which critics landed above or below the pack.
Most scored reviews currently sit in the 90–100 band. 1 unscored review adds coverage context without moving the critic average.
Score distribution
Shows how included scored reviews are clustered across the normalized 100-point scale.
86 included scored reviews
90–10070 reviews · 81%
80–8911 reviews · 13%
70–795 reviews · 6%
Below 700 reviews · 0%
Showing 61-70 of 87 matching critic reviews. 87 total critic reviews. Page 7 of 9.
Scott White
RPG SiteClair Obscur: Expedition 33 Review
Published 4/23/2025
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Turn-based RPGJRPG-inspiredReal-time parryBelle ÉpoqueStory-richSandfall InteractiveKepler Interactive
Scoring alignment
—
Score
100
+8 vs critic avg
Recommended
Read originalUnknown reviewer
Slant Magazine‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ Review: A Melancholy RPG Trip
Published 4/23/2025
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
90
-2 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalRyan Thomas Bamsey
TheGamerClair Obscur: Expedition 33 Is Already My Pick For GOTY And I Don't See That Changing
Published 4/23/2025
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
100
+8 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalMalindy Hetfeld
The GuardianClair Obscur: Expedition 33 review – deeply satisfying homage to Japanese role-playing games
Published 4/23/2025
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
80
-12 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalMark Steighner
COGconnectedClair Obscur: Expedition 33 Review – Bold New Wine, Familiar Bottle
Published 4/23/2025
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
80
-12 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalLee D'Amato
Screen RantClair Obscur: Expedition 33 Review - A Heartfelt Love Letter To RPGs Past
Published 4/23/2025
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
90
-2 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalMatt Gosper
StevivorClair Obscur Expedition 33 Review
Published 4/23/2025
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
95
+3 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalErren Van Duine
TechRaptorClair Obscur: Expedition 33 Review - A French Revolution
Published 4/23/2025
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
90
-2 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalJulio La Pine
The Nerd StashClair Obscur: Expedition 33 Review - A Masterful Work of Art
Published 4/23/2025
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
100
+8 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalClair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Very Good, Even If Not Revolutionary
Clair Obscur is a very good game that is also overrated.
Who this is for
This is for pretty much anyone that likes JRPGs, original stories, and great music.
What worked
Pros. Pros. Pros.
What didn’t work
Cons. Cons. Cons.
Review body. I am writing more words to take up more room because I need to see how this looks with a longer body. Hopefully I remember to delete / change this review later. I probably won't though. Oh well. Clair Obscur is very good, but also overrated. I swear both can be true. It isn't some generational game that completely changes everything. It has major flaws when it comes to the combat and how easy the game becomes if you are good at the timing minigame. It also has amazing music, an original story, great art direction, etc. So yeah. Very good. And overrated.