Expedition 33 Leaves CD Projekt Red Co-CEO Astounded by Clair Obscur, Regardless of Not Clearing Its Most Difficult Challenge
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Wows the Gaming Industry
In the realm of video games, a new contender has emerged, capturing the attention of industry veterans and leading figures alike. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a 2025 release from French studio Sandfall Interactive, has been making waves with its unique blend of turn-based strategy and real-time action, immersive storytelling, and stunning artistic presentation.
CD Projekt Red's global community director, Marcin Momot, has declared that "we NEED more games like" Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, highlighting its significance in the gaming landscape. This sentiment is echoed by CD Projekt Red co-CEO, Michał Nowakowski, who finished playing the game and was "absolutely blown away" by the experience[2].
The game's narrative revolves around yearly deadly expeditions in a mysterious world where a godlike entity, The Paintress, culls people by age. Players take on the role of a party of Expeditioners, supporting each other through hazardous missions. The story, a delicate balance of grimdark themes and emotional depth, has been lauded as remarkable[5].
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's combat system is innovative, combining turn-based strategic choices with real-time elements such as dodging and parrying, a stamina system for stunning enemies, and complex skill mechanics. This hybrid approach has been praised for its confidence and ability to fully embrace the RPG genre[4].
The game's artistic and narrative design is also noteworthy, with a relatively concise main storyline of about 30 hours appealing to players seeking an engrossing but efficient RPG experience. Critics have praised the game for its beauty and craftsmanship, with David Gaider, a veteran from BioWare, comparing it to Baldur's Gate 3 in terms of its impact on the JRPG genre[4].
Industry veterans consider Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 a "strong signal" that players desire deep, story-driven RPG experiences rather than primarily live-service titles. The game has been lauded for its confidence in its identity and its lean into the RPG genre, making it a standout in the industry[4].
Michał Nowakowski recommends finishing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 if one decides to play it, and Sandfall Interactive should be proud of the story portrayed in the game[6]. Despite his own efforts, Nowakowski has not yet defeated the game's toughest post-game boss, Simon, a notoriously difficult opponent[3].
With its unique blend of gameplay mechanics, immersive storytelling, and stunning artistic presentation, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is being considered for Game of the Year talks[1]. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 serve as a reminder that deep, engaging experiences can still captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact.
References:
- Polygon - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 review
- VentureBeat - CD Projekt Red co-CEO Michał Nowakowski on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- GameSpot - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 boss guide
- PC Gamer - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 review
- IGN - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 review
- Game Informer - Michał Nowakowski recommends Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
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