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 deep narrative, mature tone, and thrilling combat. Some critics are even comparing it to a modern Final Fantasy.

RPG Gamer was particularly impressed, noting that the game delivers a level of experience in just a few hours that rivals titles from studios with decades of experience. If this quality is maintained throughout, Expedition 33 stands a strong chance of recognition at The Game Awards 2025.

IGN's reviewer, captivated by the demo, expressed a desire for more, highlighting the impressive achievement of such a young development team.

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

Reviewers consistently highlight the game's excellent visual style and mature narrative.

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