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‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ Set to Launch with Praise for Combat and Narrative, Critiques of Technical Hurdles

The debut RPG from Sandfall Interactive arrives April 24, blending Belle Époque-inspired art and innovative turn-based combat, but faces criticism for its technical limitations and simplistic progression systems.

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Overview

  • The game releases April 24, 2025, on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Game Pass, marking the debut title from French indie studio Sandfall Interactive.
  • Set in an alternate Belle Époque France, the narrative explores themes of death and art through the story of a godlike Paintress who erases an age cohort annually.
  • Critics praise the game’s reactive, turn-based combat system, which incorporates real-time mechanics like parries and quick-time events for added engagement.
  • While visually ambitious for a thirty-member team, the game is noted for technical flaws like asset pop-ins and texture inconsistencies that detract from its presentation.
  • Progression systems, including skill trees and gear upgrades, are criticized for their lack of impactful player choice, limiting replayability and customization.