"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Early Impressions Released"

The highly anticipated game from the youthful French studio Sandfall Interactive, titled Clair Obscur, has started to garner early praise from the gaming press. Critics are lauding the game for its rich storytelling, mature themes, and exhilarating combat, with some even drawing comparisons to the iconic Final Fantasy series, calling it a modern equivalent.

RPG Gamer's reviewer was particularly struck by the depth of experience delivered by this debut title in just a few hours, suggesting that if this quality is sustained, Expedition 33 could be a strong contender at The Game Awards 2025. The level of polish and engagement from such a new development team was a standout feature for them.

IGN's journalist found themselves eager for more after the demo concluded, keen to delve deeper into the game's universe and engage in further battles. They expressed astonishment at what Sandfall Interactive, a team of young developers, has managed to achieve with their first project.

Kotaku's writer went as far as to predict that Clair Obscur could become a classic in the turn-based genre, potentially achieving the status of a new Final Fantasy. They were particularly impressed by the innovative integration of Quick Time Events (QTEs) into the traditional turn-based combat system, adding a fresh twist to the gameplay.

The game's striking visual style and the mature narrative tone have also been highlighted by numerous reviewers, contributing to the overall positive reception.

Clair Obscur is slated for release on April 24, 2025, and will be available on current-generation consoles, including the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series, as well as on PC via Steam.