Have you heard about the new game everyone is talking about, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33? It's a super cool role-playing game (RPG) that came out in April 2025. I got my hands on it last month and I've been hooked ever since! It’s a unique game with a really interesting story that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a turn-based RPG about a group of heroes on a quest to save their world. Every year, a mysterious being called the Paintress wakes up and paints a number on a monolith. Anyone who is that age instantly turns to smoke and vanishes. This year, she will paint the number "33," and so a final, desperate mission, Expedition 33, is launched to destroy her before she can do it again.

What's the Story of Expedition 33?

The story is both dark and hopeful. Imagine living in a world where you know the exact year you might die, not from sickness or accident, but because of a number painted on a stone. It's a terrifying thought, right? The people in the world of Lumière have lived with this curse for generations. Each year, they send out an "Expedition" to try and defeat the Paintress. So far, none have succeeded.

This year is different. You join Gustave, Maelle, and a team of other brave souls who are part of Expedition 33. They have just one year to travel across a beautiful and dangerous land to find the Paintress and end her cycle of death for good. It's a race against time, and every decision you make matters. The characters are all so well-written; you really feel their desperation and their courage.

I remember my first big boss fight against a creature called the Mime. I must have tried to defeat it a dozen times! Its attacks were so unpredictable. I finally realized I wasn't using my real-time dodges correctly. After a bit of practice and learning its patterns, I finally beat it. It felt amazing! If you're stuck on a tricky boss like the Mime, or another one called Clea, checking out a guide can really help. You can learn more about how to defeat them in our posts on how to beat Mime in Expedition 33 and how to beat Clea in Expedition 33.

The world itself is inspired by Belle Époque France, which gives it a really unique, beautiful style. The cities are stunning, and the landscapes are vast. I spent hours just exploring, sometimes getting completely lost in the woods. At one point, I was so far from my objective that I thought I'd have to backtrack for ages. That's when I discovered the game's fast travel system, which was a lifesaver! If you want to save some time getting around, you should check out our guide on how to fast travel in Expedition 33.

The combat is another thing that makes this game stand out. It's turn-based, so you have time to think about your moves, but it also has real-time elements. You can dodge, parry, and counter attacks if your timing is right, which makes battles feel much more active and engaging.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. If you're looking to make some in-app purchases to get some cool new gear for your expedition members, consider using Playstorm! You can play fun games on our app, earn points, and redeem them for PlayStation or Xbox gift cards.