Clair Obscur: Expedition 33was a runaway hit that surprised many people. Some games need a couple of hours to get into the swing of things, butClair Obscur: Expedition 33comes out swinging, captivating players from the very get-go. Much has already been said about its ending, but even before the prologue’s harrowing climax,Clair Obscur: Expedition 33hits players in the heart and keeps them begging for more.
Sandfall uses all facets of game design to give players information about the world and characters—just enough that it’s immersive but doesn’t hold the player’s hand or give away anything about its story. The result is a gripping prologue that can instantly have players as invested in the fate of Lumiere as the characters themselves.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a Masterclass in Character Design
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s Characters Go a Long Way to Make It Compelling
In the first five minutes, players are introduced to Gustave, Maelle, and Sophie. They’re some of the most important characters in the game, but they are also characters who form the soul ofClair Obscur: Expedition 33’s themes and story. Gustave and Sophie are charming together, and their relationship is believable because it’s grounded in problems that many couples face, especially when facing the tragedy of an uncertain future.
Using Foreshadowing in Subtle Ways
Foreshadowing plays a big role inClair Obscur, making repeat playthroughs a treat for all of the subtle clues left behind about where the story is headed. The first line of the game is incredibly poignant and comes fromClair Obscur: Expedition 33’s Maelle:
“If you’re going to give someone flowers, you should probably do it before they wither and die.”
Maelle is framed as a younger sister who feels out of place, but is supportive of Gustave when he needs her. During these early moments, convincing the player that these characters care for each other and getting them invested in them is crucial to the success ofClair Obscur:Expedition 33as a whole, and Sandfall sells it in just a few lines of dialogue.
Even combat is a chance to learn more about the characters; players are introduced toClair Obscur: Expedition 33’s combatthrough Maelle, and it goes a long way in establishing Gustave’s relationship with her.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33excels in understanding when dialogue is needed and how much information a player needs at every point in its story. This is evident even inExpedition 33’s very first moments, with characters communicating information such as Sophie’s importance on this particular day, the nature of her relationship with Gustave, the fact that she chose not to have children, and that the day is significant for Lumiere is all left for the player to extrapolate through context, rather than being told through dialogue.
Clair Obscur Understands When to Speak and When to Let Players Think
Even settingClair Obscur: Expedition 33’s writingaside, its prologue is a feast for the eyes, with gorgeous details of flowers and petals dancing through the air. Its world is familiar, yet different enough that it piques the intrigue to discover more. Likewise, the red and white tree is a notable landmark that uses subtext to tell players that the imagery of flowers and petals is important.
Lumiere Excels as a Setting
Just as important isClair Obscur:Expedition 33’s town of Lumiere. The survival of Lumiere and its people lies at the heart ofExpedition 33’s conflict, and the first five minutes give it all the introduction it needs.Expedition 33opens on what appears to be the ruins of an identifiable yet surreal Paris—wilted Eiffel Tower and all. The Paintress is crouched ominously under the “33” painted onto the Monolith in the distance, which can be seen from any spot in Lumiere with a view.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33gives players just enough to be curious about the outcome of the day without knowing what is going to happen, and the Gommage itself, as well as characters' perspectives on it, is staggering to witness. The conclusion of the day makes the stakes clear, but grabbing players before then is also crucial, and influences the impact the climax of the introduction has on players. Few games have the power to extract such powerful emotions from players within the first few minutes, especially regarding characters they barely know, and thus begins a phenomenal and harrowing story.
