Released April 24, 2025, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an AA (mid-budget video game) that has attracted many players since its release. To understand this craze, let's take a look at the“RPG history revolutionary turn-based system, acclaimed by critics and gamers alike!
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: Synopsis
Once a year, the Painter (Paintress) wakes up and paints a cursed number on his monolith. All those whose age corresponds to the number painted evaporate in a cloud of mist, and each year, the number chosen by the Painter decreases.
The inhabitants are therefore dying a year younger each year, and with them disappear the past, old age, memories, and even history. The day of Gommage has arrived and there will soon be little left of Lumière.
You are part of the’Shipping 33, one of the last to set sail for the monolith in an attempt to stop this cursed cycle before it's too late.
Your mission is to’eliminate the Painter so that she would never again paint death.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: The story of a desperate mission
The history of the’Expedition 33 begins at Lumière, an island in the middle of the ocean that was cut off from the rest of the world 67 years ago.
This separation was caused by the Fracture, an event that shook the world with the appearance of monsters. Although this gave time to Lumière To build its defenses, an imposing monolith with “100” shining on it appeared on the horizon.
The residents of Lumière quickly learned that this was a reverse calendar used as an age counter. The latter is counted each year by a mysterious figure known as the Painter.
But the worst is yet to come, because the day the number changes, all people this age or older die and evaporate in the form of petals and ashes. Called the day of Gommageinhabitants of Lumière organize a farewell ceremony every year for those who will disappear at sunset.
In the year 100, when the monolith first appeared, Lumière To sent an expedition to the main world to understand what was happening. Only one survivor returned.
But to keep morale up and hope to be able to stop the Gommage, a group of people ready to die before the appointed time gathered to acquire the necessary skills and attempt to send expeditions each year to kill the Painter.
Like all previous attempts were unsuccessfulinhabitants of Lumière ended up wondering whether they should continue to have children and families.
In the year 33, they realized that they were reaching a point of no return where their population would no longer be able to reproduce and continue this imminent countdown. Expedition 33 is therefore their last chance.
How many acts are there in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?
If you have any questions about lifespan of Expedition 33The game is divided into three Acts, not including the Prologue.
Prologue
This is the first chapter of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. It serves as a tutorial for players and will introduce some of the game's mechanics.
Meet Sophie, Maelle, Gustave as well as other characters and discover what remains of Lumière. This introduction will set the tone and introduce you to the Annual Scrub.
Act 1: Gustave
The first Act focuses on Gustave, leader of Expedition 33. You will discover several places :
- Vallons Fleuris (Spring Meadows) : Beat the Mime and complete the side quest.
- Suspended Ocean (Flying Waters) : On site, you will unlock the ability to upgrade weapons, use lumina color, and improve hues.
- Ancient Sanctuary (Ancient Sanctuary) : You can obtain a powerful weapon for Lune.
- Village des Gestrals (Gestral Village) : You'll find plenty of side quests and challenges to complete.
- Nest of Esquie (Esquie’s Nest) : Once you're away, you can ride Esquie for faster travel.
- Cliffs of Rochevague (Stone Wave Cliffs) : This is where you will unlock the ability to swim.
Throughout this act, you will be encouraged to complete side quests and improve your equipment.
Act 2: Verso
Act 2 focuses on Verso, a mysterious man who joins the Expedition 33 crew at the end of the first act. You'll discover two main zones:
- Forgotten Lands (Forgotten Battlefield)
- Monoco station (Monoco’s Station) : While there, you'll unlock new outfits and gain access to an optional high-level zone (Frozen Hearts).
During this act, you can confront yourself with optional bosss, but it would be interesting to get to Monoco Station before.
Act 3: Maelle
In this act, you will focus on Maelle and you will to the end of the game. As your adventure unfolds, you will discover secrets and plot twists that will complete the story of Expedition 33.
How many possible endings are there in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?
There are two possible endings depending on the choice you make:
Before the final battleyou'll have to choose between :
- Fighting as Maelle.
- Fighting as a Verso.
Your choice will influence the ending of the story, and in particular the’epilogue to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
You now know more about the history of Expedition 33. without being spoilerish of the most important moments, which you can discover as you go through the game.
So don't hesitate to discover this game with its incredible mechanics and memorable soundtrack!
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