Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 delivers high-end UE5 visuals with solid performance

A breathtaking RPG that excels with Unreal Engine 5 visuals at 60fps.

: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a critically acclaimed turn-based RPG, leverages Unreal Engine 5's features for stunning environments and performance. The game features Lumen, Nanite, and Virtual Shadow Maps, providing beautiful lighting and high-quality meshes without LOD pop-in. Console performance varies, with PS5 Pro leading in quality modes and Series S exhibiting more limitations. Overall, the game provides a visually rich experience despite being developed by a small team of 30 people over five years.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant RPG developed by Sandfall Interactive, a French studio. Set in a fantastical world reminiscent of France’s Belle Époque, the game combines a strong narrative with a deep, tactical turn-based combat system inspired by Japanese RPGs such as Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. The storyline follows Gustave and his team of Expeditioners on a desperate mission to stop the Paintress, a mysterious figure who annually causes people of a certain age to vanish, setting a melancholic yet intriguing tone. The game distinguishes itself with painterly environments, strategic combat enriched by collectible items called Pictos, and a satisfying mechanic allowing players to dodge and parry attacks.

Built on Unreal Engine 5, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 showcases high-end visuals with solid performance. The game leverages UE5's features to deliver a remarkable experience, with consistent performance on PS5 and other platforms . However, some players have noted issues with the game's sharpening filter, which can result in a washed-out appearance in certain areas.

The game's combat system is dynamic and customizable, offering players the opportunity to create devastating attack strategies through strategic mix-and-matching of gameplay elements. Players control a group of "Expeditioners" on a mission to defeat The Paintress, who annually erases people of a certain age. Battles involve up to three active party members, with the ability to swap in reserves if needed. Each character can equip three "Pictos" for passive buffs and later use these as "Luminas" for additional synergy.

Critics have praised Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for its compelling story, dynamic combat, and standout characters. The game introduces the quirky Gestrals—small, bizarre creatures who bring levity and chaos to the game's otherwise grim tone. These characters have been compared to memorable NPC groups from other games like Zelda's Koroks or Nier: Automata’s friendly robots.

Upon release, the game received "universal acclaim" from critics, according to review aggregator Metacritic. OpenCritic reported a top critic average score of 91% across all platforms; as of April 2025, it is the highest-rated game of 2025 on the site . The game's success has led to the announcement of a live-action adaptation in collaboration with Story Kitchen.

Sources: The Verge, Digital Foundry, Polygon

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