Review of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Expected to be the strongest candidate Game of The Year 2025, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (abbreviated to Expedition 33) brings a new color to the gaming world turn-based which is still one of the most popular mechanics in gaming today. Even long before its release, Expedition 33 has attracted a lot of attention from gamers because of one additional mechanic besides turn-based, i.e. real-time action. These two mechanics were originally believed to be able to provide an interactive aspect to the game, especially with the graphical display that can be quite realistic and impressive.

The question is whether Expedition 33 successfully executed the mechanic turn-based and real-time action simultaneously? The answer is that it works, although there are still some important caveats. Let's go over some of the highlights first.

*Spoiler Alert: There are several characters and mechanics that may be spoiler because it appears at a fairly advanced stage of the story.

Real Time Action with Turn Based Turns out to be Very Satisfying

For me personally, the experience of entering combat is an important aspect, and this is well catered for by Expedition 33. Players can use a wide variety of characters with their own mechanics that have their own learning curve which is easy. Characters can perform various actions, namely basic attack, skills, item, and gun.

Button significance RTA This also partly impacts the use of skills, but the majority of actions use the same button as timing that can be learned, so it is not too difficult. Moreover, each of these actions that can be taken can be customized.enhance by equipment other, so the side action of issuing skills is also an advantage for certain enemies.

But of course, with these two mechanics joining, it may be a minus point for players who want turn-based which is autopilot.

For example, Honkai: Star Rail provide options auto battle which allows certain algorithms to automatically organize what the characters should do. But from start to finish Expedition 33The leveling up is relatively easy and doesn't require much work. grindAs long as the player tries to do a full exploration.

Interesting Character Skills and Quirks to Explore

Although the main core of each character's power mechanic is based on a few specific types such as support or DPSThe five main characters have fundamentally different playstyles, and can still be given more variation.

For example, the initial main character, Lune, who is a mage, has mechanical strength in the form of stain that can provide additional effects to the elements skills certain.

Different weapons can change the way the character plays and functions. Suffice to say, this character power mechanic is quite well thought out, although not all characters can deliver the goods. damage as the story progresses.

A Beautiful World to Explore

Expedition 33 provides a sense of exploration that is quite exciting because world-building which is so majestic. For game caliber A or AA, every corner of the world as well as dungeon looks interesting.

Of course, this is quite a difficult caliber, given that Expedition 33 takes on a fantasy theme that requires creativity. When was the last time we felt both reluctant and excited to enter a completely new environment? It's all contained within Expedition 33 This.

Nevertheless, this diverse world is mostly focused on small areas or dungeon that are scattered across the main map. So, a tip for players is to always actively explore (avoiding areas with too many enemies). portal colored red until it reaches a certain level).

Menu UI that Feels Bored and Not Fully Developed

Expedition 33 has two main menu views that can be accessed: setting general and character view. Unfortunately, these two main menus share one common note: they are inconsistent and confusing.

In the character display section, for example, it's pretty cool to see the appearance of a character that is being standby. But without even trying, players seem to be faced with two choices: Journal and Inventory. In fact, the name of each character can be chosen to show more specific details of the character's status.

Section Journal is quite easy to understand. Part Inventory: less intuitive. With so many collectibles obtained, filtering can only be done based on alphabet, equipped, recently obtained, and some other categories that are difficult to understand. Based on personal experience, when choosing various pictosIt is more convenient to view them alphabetically compared to the other options.

In the setting Generally, it seems pretty easy to understand. There is setting itself, a kind of tutorial (image below), and various other settings.

One of the main views that is quite memorable and suitable for application in Expedition 33 may be developed by Persona series. Apart from artstyle Persona series which has always been an attraction in itself, there are many parts that explain quite a lot status-status certain things that should be considered when playing the game turn-based. Final Fantasy XIV can also be a reference for future development for a fairly intuitive main interface.

Conclusion

Overall, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 manages to deliver a unique experience by combining mechanics turn-based and real-time action in one solid and fun package.

However, some elements such as the UI and system inventory still feels less intuitive, the game's main strengths lie in its majestic world exploration, characters with diverse play styles, and interactive combat system.

For gamers looking for a new challenge in the genre turn-based RPG, Expedition 33 offers a fresh approach that is worth exploring more deeply.

Pros

• Two mechanics turn based and RTA that are well executed
• A diverse and exciting fantasy world
• Distinctive and quality music and soundtrack

Disadvantages

• Show less intuitive interface
• World exploration can feel limited due to the focus on the many dungeon