Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Receives First Early Impressions from Journalists

Sandfall Interactive, a young French studio, is generating significant buzz with their upcoming title, Expedition 33. Early reviews from gaming media are overwhelmingly positive, praising its immersive narrative, mature themes, and gripping combat. Some critics are even comparing it to a modern Final Fantasy.

RPG Gamer was particularly impressed, noting that the studio's debut project delivers a depth of experience comparable to titles from established developers with decades of experience, and in just a few hours of gameplay. If this high quality is maintained throughout the full game, Expedition 33 is a strong contender for The Game Awards 2025.

IGN's reviewer, captivated by the demo, expressed a desire for more, eager to explore the game's world and engage in further combat. Their review also highlighted the remarkable achievement of such a young development team.

Kotaku went so far as to predict that Expedition 33 will achieve classic turn-based status—a new Final Fantasy—praising the innovative integration of QTE mechanics into traditional turn-based battles.

Reviewers consistently lauded the game's stunning visuals and mature storytelling.

Expedition 33 is scheduled for release on April 24, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam).