Dazzling art work cannot ‘obscure’ combat adventure for cutting edge RPG

photo courtesy of Gameblast’s website

Crowned “Game of the Year,” Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 entered the spotlight after winning nine prizes during Game Awards 2025, while also bringing players into striking art style and action-packed gameplay. Expedition 33 throws players into an engaging, turn-based combat adventure filled with amazing storytelling, methodical pacing, and elements that either make the player intrigued at every turn, or reveal the possible cracks which are hidden under stunning art and magical world building. Ultimately, Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 needs to be evaluated beyond looks or action, but rather through its storytelling, systems, and the moment to moment experiences.

For those who haven’t heard of Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscure: Expedition 33, it’s a turn-based combat RPG similar to other popular titles such as Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, and Final Fantasy. The game attempts to take place in a dark fantasy world setting, where for the past 67 years (no pun intended) the people in an isolated town, on an island called Lumiere, suffer from what the games labels “The Gommage.” The “Gommage” is a terrifying event that involves an entity/witch named “The Paintress” (Tracy Wiles, Secret Level), who annually draws on a monolith a number. Everyone that age or higher essentially vanishes. The game begins with age 33, solving the mystery of the title’s origin. The solution to the problem is to send a group of volunteers on an “Expedition” to stop The Paintress and restore order over all the land.

A strength of this game is obviously the art style and graphics that bring it to life. Long story short, the game is absolutely stunning. The blend of dark fantasy and Belle Epoque aesthetics gives the player a jaw-dropping experience. Many players describe the art as playing on  a flowing canvas, where character attacks and blocks come together as if you're quite literally painting a picture. The beautiful graphics very deservingly won them “Best Art Direction” at the Game Awards. Another strength arises from the turn-based system of attacking and defending. In most turn-based games, the player is almost encouraged to spam attacks and rush through bosses. This game, on the contrary, punishes you for this style of play and encourages players to come up with strategies and perform almost perfectly. Players can also dodge, parry, and jump during the enemy’s turn. 

Despite this seeming wall of artistic integrity, there are still some cracks beneath the surface that can really impact a player’s experience. While the art is beautiful, many console players and players with lower end PCs experienced significant lag and delayed animations while attacking or parrying. Also, some of the character animations were stiff and almost unnatural, which pulled players out of the moment at times. Another aspect of the game that made players really confused was how to actually move through the map and tackle obstacles. The beautifully painted environments are wonderful to gaze at, but make the game a living nightmare to navigate through. Although the in-game map does a decent job of presenting a general sense of surroundings, it’s easy to lose touch, and most players end up lost, nowhere near where they are supposed to be.

Ultimately, Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 definitely deserved all nine game awards that it received as this action-packed, art-filled adventure captivates a player’s attention and throws them into an immersive world. This game is definitely meant for players who want turn-based strategic gameplay mixed with admiration for the stunning art style that leads to a fresh and exciting fantasy story that actually makes you care about the characters’ world.

Grade: B+

Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 is a stylish countdown to action, making players feel the land’s destiny breathing down their neck.

by Logan Auxier

Published February 9, 2026

Oshkosh West Index Volume 122 Issue IV