The highly anticipated game from the young French studio Sandfall Interactive, titled Clair Obscur, is already making waves in the gaming community. Early reviews from prominent gaming media outlets have showered the game with praise for its deep narrative, mature tone, and exhilarating combat mechanics. Some critics have even gone as far as to compare it to a modern-day Final Fantasy, highlighting its potential to become a landmark title in the genre.
RPG Gamer's reviewer was particularly struck by the fact that Clair Obscur, despite being the debut project of a relatively new team, delivers an experience that rivals games from studios with decades of experience. The reviewer noted that if the game maintains this impressive pace throughout its entirety, Expedition 33 could be a strong contender at The Game Awards 2025.
IGN's journalist expressed a similar sentiment, expressing a desire to continue exploring the game's world and engaging in more battles even after the demo session concluded. The journalist was astounded by the level of quality and depth achieved by such a young development team.
Kotaku's author went a step further, predicting that Clair Obscur will cement its status as a turn-based classic, potentially becoming the new benchmark for the genre. The author specifically praised the game's innovative approach to integrating Quick Time Events (QTEs) into traditional turn-based combat, adding a fresh layer of excitement to the gameplay.
Across the board, reviewers have lauded the game's stunning visual style and the maturity of its narrative, further solidifying its position as a must-play title for fans of the genre.
Clair Obscur is scheduled to launch on April 24, 2025, and will be available on current-generation consoles (PS5 and Xbox Series) as well as PC via Steam. Gamers eager to experience this promising new title should mark their calendars and prepare for an unforgettable journey.