The eagerly anticipated game from the young French studio Sandfall Interactive, titled Clair Obscur, has started to garner early reviews from the gaming media. Critics are lauding the game for its profound narrative, mature themes, and exhilarating combat, with some even drawing comparisons to modern Final Fantasy titles.
The reviewer from RPG Gamer was particularly struck by the fact that Sandfall Interactive's debut project delivers an experience comparable to that of a seasoned studio within just a few hours. Should this level of quality persist throughout the game, Clair Obscur—also known as Expedition 33—stands a strong chance of clinching an award at The Game Awards 2025.
An IGN journalist expressed a desire to continue exploring the game's world and engaging in more battles even after the demo session concluded, amazed at the accomplishments of such a youthful development team.
Kotaku's writer went as far as to predict that Clair Obscur could become a classic in the turn-based genre, potentially rivaling the iconic Final Fantasy series. They particularly praised the innovative integration of Quick Time Events (QTE) into the traditional turn-based combat system.
Reviewers across the board have also commended the game's striking visual style and the sophisticated tone of its storytelling.
Clair Obscur is slated for release on April 24, 2025, and will be available on current-generation consoles (PS5 and Xbox Series) as well as PC via Steam.
