'Clair Obscur: Expedition 33': A surprise fantasy RPG hit

"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33" is a role-playing game (RPG) that transports players to a dark fantasy world. The inhabitants of the island of Lumière have a problem: They are being decimated year after year.

Responsible for these dark goings-on is The Paintress, a kind of deity on the horizon who paints a new, glowing number every year, causing all people of that age and older to disappear. In response, the population launches an annual expedition to the mainland to try to stop the Paintress.

The game begins with a farewell party for the 33-year-olds and then Expedition 33 gets underway. The gameplay is reminiscent of Japanese RPGs: The group moves through stunningly beautiful landscapes, repeatedly encountering camps from past expeditions, various puzzles, new sections that continue the story, and a variety of enemies.

The battles are an interesting mix. They are turn-based on the one hand, but also designed with real-time reactions on the other. The characters take turns at different intervals and can perform various actions such as attacks or spells.

The actions can also reinforce each other, opening up interesting tactical possibilities. When it's the opponents' turn, the players can react in real time with parries or evasive manoeuvres, which significantly livens up the turn-based combat.

"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33" tells a moving story of resistance and loss that takes some surprising twists and turns. With its intriguing plot, beautifully designed world, and interesting and deep characters, the game has already made its way into the hearts of many gaming fans. RPG fans in particular should check it out.

The game is available for PCs and Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 consoles. It costs around €50/$50 and is suitable for players aged 16 and older.