First impressions can go a long way, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 makes sure that they count, leaning into the type of poignancy and gravitas that comes with the dark world its characters inhabit. Hinging on the tragedy of its people's circumstances, Clair Obscur's character introductions are a lens not just into the universal experience of living under the Paintress, but how they each respond differently to it. From its prologue alone, the level of depth that goes into its side characters shows how their respective attitudes might clash, or how they bond together in the face of the Gommage, endearing players to their individual struggles that make the death of the Continent that much more devastating.
It stands to reason, then, that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's character introductions are effective not just in how they build characterization, but in how this characterization fits within the greater world itself. Tension runs high before the expedition even sets sail for the Continent, and already players get a glimpse into how differently its cast prepares for the inevitable. This grounded but somewhat hopeful attitude is all but disrupted as the prologue comes to an end, making for one of the most foreboding arrivals of a character: the white-haired man who wordlessly rains down death on the expedition. No explanation, no final goodbyes; the brief but compelling dialogue between Gustave and his lifelong friends is left behind in Lumiere, as they now lie motionless on the sand.
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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Shows Character Introductions Done Right
When Few Remain
The dearth of survivors following Clair Obscur's prologue is effective for multiple reasons. Not only does it allow for a more intimate cast of characters in its party, but the connections between them are strengthened by their few numbers. This is exemplified through Lune's first cutscene introduction as she stops Gustave from doing the unthinkable, reviving the sense of hope that he isn't alone, and that there is still meaning towards moving on, no matter how daunting the path forward is. Bridging this moment into an exceptional boss fight only heightens its emotional brevity, reinforcing that dangers still exist around them, but are at least a bit more surmountable with numbers.
Imbuing Emotion into a Character's Introduction
Gustave is introduced by chucking rocks at the Paintress from afar, a poignant moment that shows both beauty and discontent, making his sibling-type relationship with Maelle more tangible through her worry about how he's holding up. The ability for the scene to hold so much weight is only heightened through their experiences on the Continent, where other introductions, like Sciel, are given similar gravitas.
Sciel can, like the others, be approached during the expedition's festival in Lumiere, but her true introduction during the Gestral coliseum battle shows a deft hand at blending hype and emotion. The realization that she, too, wasn't the only survivor is coupled with a flashy and fun battle sequence, showing that Clair Obscur's narrative beats don't have to solely be despondent to be effective.
Hinting at History, Showing Without Telling
When Clair Obscur branches its party out to new faces, it does so with reverence to its world-building; it never reveals too much of its hand, opting instead for continual intrigue. A character like Verso paints an intriguing picture of the true wonders that lie on the Continent, and it's in his introduction that players see he holds at least some of the answers. Whether he will be forthright with them, however, is another story, but his relationship with the world and the other creatures of the Continent brings yet another lens into the expedition's experience.
It's because of Verso that Clair Obscur's introduction of its final party member, Monoco, bears similar strengths, leaning on the banter between the two of them to endear players in their first impressions. Through their interaction, it's evident that their history is playful; a failed attempt to stop the Paintress is referenced, though Monoco is easily convinced through the appeal of fighting ahead. Clair Obscur manages to convey so much in so few words that its relationships feel established from the get-go; history is hinted at or conveyed with subtlety and realism, without being overly explanatory or on-the-nose. This approach allows its characters' personalities to shine through, setting a strong example for other games to consider.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 92 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- April 24, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Sandfall Interactive
- Publisher(s)
- Kepler Interactive
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Genre(s)
- Turn-Based RPG, JRPG, Fantasy
