5/5 ★ – VirtualGameGeek's review of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Score: 10/10 Platform: Xbox Series X (Gamepass) Spoilerfree: ✅ What began as an attempt to see if a turn-based game would be right for me ended in a surprising perfect fit. Claire Obscure delivers exactly what its title suggests; the stark contrast between expectation and outcome couldn't have been bigger since the game has become my game of the year and perhaps even one of the best games ever made. It's creative, emotional and daring to assert its own identity. The wondrous and dreamy worlds, the perfect soundtrack, the sound design, and the deeply layered combat brought to life with flawless animations couldn't have been crafted more perfectly. It's challenging to grasp, but the more satisfying it is once you master the system and can use its combat elements against the various enemies. The same goes for the story. Perhaps the best I've ever experienced in a game. The mystery haunts you and leaves you hungry for more answers. The characters are human and become more relatable as you uncover more answers. The story concludes in a climax where I could hardly make the given choice. Literally the only thing I missed in this game was a database where you could quickly read about the lore, characters, or parts of the game you can't remember right away. This doesn't detract from what is essentially a perfect game. Claire Obscure: Expedition 33 is a gift for anyone who loves games, created by developers with vision and a lot of passion. A standing ovation for Sandfall Interactive!