Still reeling from the launch of the thoroughly excellent Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remaster? Well, it may not have been ideal for Microsoft to drop that two days before another Game Pass launch, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, out tomorrow.
The oddly-named RPG is out on all platforms, but will in fact release on Game Pass. It has looked fantastic since it was first previewed, and you will relieved to know that with dozens of reviews in, it really is that good.
On both PC and PS5, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has a 92 metascore. On Xbox, with fewer reviews in, it’s at a 95. The 92 ties it with Blue Prince, out just two weeks ago, and one point about Split Fiction’s 91, out in March. With anything over a 90 almost always a surefire GOTY contender, we can add it to the pile, and yes, are only a third of the way through the year right now.
Clair Obscur has some things working against it like its confusing title for mainstream playeres and now this stealth Oblivion drop, but clearly it should not be overlooked. Here’s the synopsis:
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“Lead the Expedition on a desperate adventure to destroy the Paintress before she erases the last survivors of humanity in the stunning new RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.”
As for what critics are saying, here’s a sampling of the mostly effusive praise:
- RPGamer (10/10): “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a journey that blasts the senses from beginning to end. The melancholic and bleak moments are balanced by the characters’ perseverance, which makes their triumphs shine much brighter. There’s a profound sense of style and substance that only expands as more of the world is uncovered. What results is a true work of art that ties its brilliant components together into a complete package, which is awe inspiring to come from a freshman developer.”
- RPG Fan (99/100): “In lieu of a traditional conclusion, I’ll just say this: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the single most impressive debut RPG I’ve ever played. If this were a Final Fantasy title, it would easily rank among my all-time favorites. I can’t recommend it enough.”
- IGN (9/10): “Wearing its inspirations on its sleeve, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 paints itself into the pantheon of great RPGs with a brilliant combat system and a gripping, harrowing story.”
A lot of the focus is on the fact that Sandfall is a completely new developer with his being its first major project. The “freshman” accomplishment makes this even more impressive, and despite a different genre and scale, that matches its fellow 92, Blue Prince’s Dogubomb, as that was its first game as well. Already, Clair Obscur is shaping up to be one of the best games of the year and at least right now, certainly the best RPG. Give it a shot at launch tomorrow.
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Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.
