Had to try it

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 pulls you into a beautifully tragic setup where a mysterious figure curses people by age each year, and your group's racing against time to end it before the next number hits—it's got this underlying sadness that colors everything, making the journey feel weighty without being overly grim. From the start, it drew me in with its unique vibe, blending fantasy elements in a way that kept me curious about what was coming next.

The turn-based combat stands out as the core hook, mixing strategic planning with quick reactions like dodges and parries that pop up during enemy actions, keeping you engaged instead of just watching animations play out. It's got that tactical depth where positioning and ability choices matter a lot, and bosses throw in phases that force you to switch up tactics on the fly. I struggled at first with timing those real-time bits, leading to some reloads on tougher scraps, but getting the rhythm down turned fights into satisfying puzzles. Party members each bring their own flair to builds, encouraging experimentation without overwhelming you, and it all flows smoothly without feeling too complicated.

Roaming the world is rewarding in its own right, with areas inspired by old-world art styles that look stunning—vibrant, almost painterly environments full of details that invite you to linger and hunt for extras like side stories or upgrades. It's not a massive open map, but the density makes exploration feel purposeful, tying back into the main path nicely. The soundtrack elevates it all, with music that swells at just the right moments to amp up the emotion.

Storytelling focuses on character growth and tough choices that branch out, leading to different outcomes and adding some replay pull if you want to see alternate paths. It's heartfelt, with arcs that can tug at you, though I kept things straightforward on my playthrough to avoid getting bogged down in optional stuff.

Wrapped it up in around 30-40 hours, playing on standard difficulty where challenges felt fair but demanding—had its share of "got me" moments, but nothing that soured the experience. Only minor nitpick was occasional pacing in side bits that felt a tad drawn out, but overall, it's polished and cohesive.

Fresh off completing it, I'm not rushing back for another go—I'm the sort who moves on after one solid run—but it left a strong impression. If you're into RPGs with emotional depth and clever combat twists, this could click hard; great for strategy fans or those wanting a fresh take on the genre. Skip if pure action or lighter tones are your preference—it leans into the heavier side but delivers well for what it is. Solid debut worth checking out.