As a seasoned veteran of countless RPG adventures, I must admit that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has piqued my interest with its visually stunning and stylishly Western take on the genre. The characters, clad in their expedition uniforms, certainly have a flair reminiscent of Persona 5, but with a distinct twist all its own.
As a devoted gaming enthusiast, I can confidently say that Sandfall Interactive’s “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” was one of the most captivating highlights during the summer games reveal season. This groundbreaking new release left many in awe when it was first unveiled at Xbox’s summer showcase in June. Recently, I had an opportunity to witness the game running live right before my eyes, and this early sneak peek strongly suggests that the initial buzz surrounding the game is well-deserved.
In a non-interactive demonstration, I had the opportunity to briefly witness one sequence from a specific scenario in the Japanese Role-Playing Game (JRPG) developed in France. The location where the game is produced plays a significant role, as it belongs to the JRPG genre due to its inherent characteristics. Indeed, it showcases numerous elements and design systems commonly linked with this genre.
To clarify, despite its intriguing title and engaging gameplay, this game wasn’t developed in Japan. Much like Sea of Stars or the underappreciated The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age, I invite you to decipher what that implies about its genre classification. Essentially, if you are a fan of games with similar mechanics, chances are, you will find this one appealing too.
In discussing Expedition 33, you’ll often find comparisons to Persona 5, which isn’t off-base. The game’s sleek menus, cinematic camera angles during combat, and exaggerated battle animations make it clear where the inspiration lies, particularly in terms of battle mechanics. However, the developers are striving to break free from that comparison by introducing a new system they call “Reactive Turn-Based Combat”. They’ve even labeled this gameplay style as part of its genre in press releases and online stores.
The concept draws inspiration from other games, where players aren’t just limited to menu selections for moves, but can also execute real-time actions and responses to inflict more damage and improve performance. This game follows a turn-based format, with a character turn order displayed on the screen’s left side. However, it goes beyond tradition by incorporating elements such as real-time dodging, precise parrying at the frame level, counters, combos, and quick-time events that respond to player actions, resulting in optimal use of skills when executed correctly.
The game seems to motivate players to interact with the system, yet it’s still feasible to fight without it. At the conclusion of each round, the battle summary highlights the number of successful moves and parries you’ve executed, subtly suggesting that players should engage more with these elements.
As a dedicated gamer, I must say that Expedition 33 might draw comparisons to Persona and other Japanese games in terms of its structural design. However, it carves out a unique identity for itself when it comes to aesthetic and ambiance. The visuals are nothing short of breathtaking, with battles accentuated by spectacular particle effects. The settings are captivating as well; this demo immerses you underwater, where oddly enough, characters can breathe and converse. The graphics are mesmerizing – aquatic flora sways gracefully with the currents, while characters navigate around and across shipwrecks and remnants of a submerged civilization.
As a captivated reader, I must admit that while the overall plotline is intriguing, it’s shrouded in mystery for me. Yet, the fundamental idea is stunningly straightforward: the ensemble of characters, each turning 33 this year, face an impending doom within twelve months. In an audacious bid to vanquish a deity-like entity and secure their survival, they embark on a daring voyage – if you will, an expedition.
This place has a lot going for it – engaging characters, a captivating storyline introduction, and adversary designs that are visually appealing as well as strategically thoughtful from a combat standpoint. Upon first glance, it seems each character could benefit from a unique personal appearance, but maybe that’s something we’ll see develop over time, since I only saw them in their expedition outfits, without any insight into potential gear or customization systems.
In essence, the reveal trailer for Expedition 33 resembles a blend of flamboyant style similar to Persona 5, yet infused with a Western twist. A preliminary observation of gameplay suggests that substance is not merely an afterthought; instead, it showcases thoughtfully designed combat systems that aspire to innovate beyond imitation, hinting at an intent towards evolution.
The real proof will come when we get to go hands-on, of course. Hopefully that comes soon.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is releasing for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X & S at some point in 2025.
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2024-08-28 16:26