Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

I jumped into Expedition 33 expecting a stylish indie JRPG — what I found was a weirdly addictive mashup: turn‑based bones with action‑game parries that feel equal parts Sekiro and Persona. If you love bold audio‑visual worlds and a soundtrack that haunts you, this one will stick.

At its heart Clair Obscur is a turn‑based RPG, but don’t expect the usual ‘click, wait, repeat’. Enemy turns open an active window where you can dodge, parry and counter in real time; nail the rhythm and fights feel like a dance. Party members have distinct kits, pictos and gear to build strange synergies, and the free‑aim targeting adds a tactile layer to spells and ranged attacks. Exploration is deliberate — Belle Époque‑tinged locations hide voice journals, side quests and secret routes that reward curiosity. The game runs in Unreal Engine 5 and mostly looks like someone painted an opera set; the OST is one of the best parts and elevates quiet moments into full scenes. Downsides: some boss animations have long wind‑ups and feints that make timing feel fiddly, platforming bits can be clunky, and a few technical issues (Steam Deck performance, occasional bugs like reported stun‑lock fights) still surface. Still, when the combat clicks and the story hooks you, the combo of tactical planning and reflex timing is hugely satisfying.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a bold, emotional indie JRPG that often amazes — gorgeous visuals, a killer OST and an addictive parry‑infused combat loop. It’s not flawless (expect a few rough edges and technical quirks), but for me it’s a must‑play for anyone chasing original single‑player RPG experiences.