Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 blew RPG fans away with its reveal trailer, promising a stylized evolution to the genre. With lofty goals like that, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 needs to fire on all cylinders to meet expectations, so the recently revealed voice cast may be a point in the game’s favor.
Set in the midst of the apocalypse in a Belle Epoque-inspired France, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 looks set to tell an incredible story. With a mysterious supernatural threat, enigmatic characters, and high stakes, the game has all the makings of a narrative that will keep fans engrossed through hours of gameplay. But ideas and intentions are only half the battle when providing a game with a good story. In a fully-voiced game like this one, the cast is a make-or-break feature. Even the best of tales told with poor voice acting can fall flat. Luckily, Expedition 33’s latest trailer reveals the major voice cast, announcing some surprise heavy hitters in the industry.
Lies of P and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Shockingly Share a Similar Hook
Though different in a number of crucial ways, Lies of P and the upcoming Clair Obscur share one remarkable similarity, possibly signaling a new trend.
Every Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Cast Member Revealed So Far
Charlie Cox as Gustave
As the main protagonist of the game, Gustave will carry much of the narrative on his shoulders. Described as “a resourceful engineer," Gustave has made it his goal to safeguard the city of Lumiere. A character as important to the game as Gustave needs a seasoned hero’s voice, so Charlie Cox feels like a great fit. Best known for portraying Daredevil in the self-titled Netflix show and Marvel follow-up, Daredevil: Born Again, this will be Cox’s first time voice acting in a video game. He’s clearly got the acting chops needed for the role, but swapping from physical roles to voice roles can be difficult, so players can only hope Cox makes the jump properly.
Jennifer English as Maelle
Maelle seems to be the female lead of Expedition 33, described as “a shy loner, eager to fly.” As Gustave’s foster sister and the youngest member of the expedition team, she will likely have her own prominent story as well as upping the stakes for Gustave. English is a seasoned voice actor, best known for her roles as Shadowheart in Baldur's Gate 3 and Latenna in Eldin Ring. With roles like this under her belt, there’s no doubt that Jennifer English will make a perfect lead character.
“She’s the epitome of a dream character for me- captivating, intricately layered, exquisitely written.” - Jennifer English on playing Maelle
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Features a Powerhouse Cast
Andy Serkis as Renoir
Andy Serkis is a vocal chameleon with dozens of characters under his belt. Arguably his most famous role is as the voice of Gollum in the Lord of the Rings franchise, though he’s also known for portraying Caeser in the Planet of the Apes movies, as well as appearing in Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars films, to name a few. Serkis will be playing Renoir, who looks to be a prominent antagonist in the game. The character doesn’t seem evil, as his goal is saving his family, but he also appears willing to sacrifice anything to achieve that goal. Renoir will undoubtedly be some kind of roadblock for the expedition team, and as a sympathetic villain, Serkis will be able to showcase his incredible range.
Ben Starr as Verso
Another veteran of the game industry, Ben Starr’s most popular role is Clive Rosfield, the lead character of Final Fantasy 16. With such star-worthy talent, it may seem strange not to give Starr the leading role in Expedition 33 as well, but his character Verso will likely still steal the show. Very little has been revealed about the character, just that he is an enigmatic stranger who is tracking the expedition team. Characters like this often become fan favorites, so whether he ends up being friend or foe, Ben Starr will surely be lending his voice to a memorable character.
Kirsty Rider as Lune
Lune, a scholar and mage, is drawn on the expedition to solve the mystery of the paintress, the main antagonist introduced in Expedition 33's reveal trailer. Her character bio explains that she’s sacrificed everything, so she is fiercely devoted to the expedition’s success. She appears to be both a wise and headstrong character, which Rider states is what drew her to the role. Kirsty Rider can also be seen as Emanuela in Netflix’s The Sandman, which is based on the Neil Gaiman comics.
Shala Nyx as Sciel
Shala Nyx will be taking on the very nuanced role of Sciel, who “embraces every day with joy, masking the pain of a tragic past.” Described as calm and cheerful, Sciel is also a warrior who hides her scars. Characters like this take a very careful portrayal, and Shala Nyx is up for the job. Also known for playing Farida Nazeri in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, she is no stranger to characters with deep lore, which makes her a prime candidate for the role of Sciel.
Other Actors Voicing Unrevealed Characters
Beyond the named characters who have been announced, three additional actors are playing characters who’ve yet to be introduced. Rich Keeble, a Good Omens alum, will be voicing a character that he describes as "loyal, eloquent, terrifying.” Devora Wilde and Tracy Wiles, both of whom appeared in Baldur’s Gate 3, have also been announced, but there is no word about their characters yet. With a cast as stacked as this one, Expedition 33 should fit right in with other RPG mainstays. RPG fans can look forward to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 sometime in 2025.
-
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
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- Turn-Based RPG, JRPG, Fantasy
