First Impressions: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Seeking Light

[Old_Hunter_77]

I was thinking about your opinion u/CriticalGaming that Clair Obscure is being received so enthusiastically while other jRPGs exist and your love of Metaphor: Refantazio. And I was squaring it against my own feelings about how I'm interested in Clair (was going to start last night but other things came up- maybe tonight?) yet have zero interest in Metaphor, and I'm appointing myself representative of Not a JRPG Guy.

First of all I will observe that Metaphor was received extremely warmly and was many critics' GOTY last year. But it didn't cross-over outside of the genre like maybe Clair is going to do. Here's why I think it is the case:

1- Less anime?
I personally just have a big obstacle with that style. My favorite Japanese video games are less anime and even my favorite anime is less anime. What I mean is the giggling "sexy" school children, exaggerated vowel grunts and huge eyes, the absurd dating tropes, and as Yahtzee summarizes ever jRPG plot "using the power of friendship to kill a god." I know western stuff has its own tropes but I'm just used to them. This is a me thing for sure but it is what it is and I'm sure I'm not the only one especially for folks over 40.

And to u/tippy2k2 's point: " (LOVE having a game with 30 somethings as the characters instead of a bunch of teens) "
Japanese pop culture media especially video games is just way too obsessed with the demographic that interests me the least- f'n teens.

2- Shorter game
The main thing I know about Metaphor is that it's similar to Persona 5, a game I tried and got bored with. Then I keep seeing run times of triple digit hours. We criticize Big Open World Ubisoft Style games for being too long and yes I know those games suck but the exhaustion of long games is real not just for those games but across the board. HowLongToBeat lists a "completionist" run of 57 hours which is less time than it takes to get through the critical path of many jRPGs.

 

[tippy2k2]

I was thinking about your opinion u/CriticalGaming that Clair Obscure is being received so enthusiastically while other jRPGs exist and your love of Metaphor: Refantazio. And I was squaring it against my own feelings about how I'm interested in Clair (was going to start last night but other things came up- maybe tonight?) yet have zero interest in Metaphor, and I'm appointing myself representative of Not a JRPG Guy.

First of all I will observe that Metaphor was received extremely warmly and was many critics' GOTY last year. But it didn't cross-over outside of the genre like maybe Clair is going to do. Here's why I think it is the case:

1- Less anime?
I personally just have a big obstacle with that style. My favorite Japanese video games are less anime and even my favorite anime is less anime. What I mean is the giggling "sexy" school children, exaggerated vowel grunts and huge eyes, the absurd dating tropes, and as Yahtzee summarizes ever jRPG plot "using the power of friendship to kill a god." I know western stuff has its own tropes but I'm just used to them. This is a me thing for sure but it is what it is and I'm sure I'm not the only one especially for folks over 40.

And to u/tippy2k2 's point: " (LOVE having a game with 30 somethings as the characters instead of a bunch of teens) "
Japanese pop culture media especially video games is just way too obsessed with the demographic that interests me the least- f'n teens.

2- Shorter game
The main thing I know about Metaphor is that it's similar to Persona 5, a game I tried and got bored with. Then I keep seeing run times of triple digit hours. We criticize Big Open World Ubisoft Style games for being too long and yes I know those games suck but the exhaustion of long games is real not just for those games but across the board. HowLongToBeat lists a "completionist" run of 57 hours which is less time than it takes to get through the critical path of many jRPGs.

I didn't even think about that but the length of time might also be a big factor. As you said, JRPGs are traditionally dozens, if not hundreds of hours.

I didn't do a ton of side stuff in Expedition and I clocked in about 25 hours by the time I was done. Which is still a meaty experience time-wise but not nearly the 100+ hours that a game like Persona/Metaphor/SMT would take the average player to go through.

 

[Old_Hunter_77]

Good news: they can with Story Difficulty and change it whenever they feel like it, without consequences. There is even item/skill you can unlock that makes dodging and parrying easier, no matter the difficulty you're playing. So there you go.

There is this cool video from Belluar News you should all check out. Though his most important words are time stamped at 10:30, for those wanting to get straight to the point.

​

@Old_Hunter_77, @CriticalGaming, @Dreiko, @PsychedelicDiamond, @Jarrito3002, and @tippy2k2, you're all going to want to hear this.

Ok but where is this narrative about the pure oppressed turn-based RPG coming from? Remember Baldur's Gate 3? The game that was everybody's better than Jesus and/or sex? The GOTY of just two years ago? It's a turn-based RPG! Sea of Stars was one of they indy darlings of a year or two ago, which is a turn-based RPG! Metaphor Refantazio was the critical darling of last year. We get Persona remakes/updates/remasters/re-releases every year.

Maybe it's my videogame-industry-pilled brained but turn-based RPG's is one of the most popular genres around, what the f*** are we even all talking about?!

Is it... FF16? I mean are folks really still just so mad that the last new Final Fantasy made you press buttons to swing a sword?

 

[CriticalGaming]

Ok but where is this narrative about the pure oppressed turn-based RPG coming from? Remember Baldur's Gate 3? The game that was everybody's better than Jesus and/or sex? The GOTY of just two years ago? It's a turn-based RPG! Sea of Stars was one of they indy darlings of a year or two ago, which is a turn-based RPG! Metaphor Refantazio was the critical darling of last year. We get Persona remakes/updates/remasters/re-releases every year.

Maybe it's my videogame-industry-pilled brained but turn-based RPG's is one of the most popular genres around, what the f*** are we even all talking about?!

Is it... FF16? I mean are folks really still just so mad that the last new Final Fantasy made you press buttons to swing a sword?

I think it's mostly the fact that the developers for Expedition broke away from the big publisher corporate slavery and were able to use their talent to make a "good" game. Expedition 33 will be the poster child for the kind of games we could get if big publishers would just let devs make what they want instead of trying to corporatize everything.

 

[BrawlMan]

Ok but where is this narrative about the pure oppressed turn-based RPG coming from?

I nor the video have no idea where you're coming from about this. Unless you're talking about the Japanaphobia from the 2005-2014.

but turn-based RPG's is one of the most popular genres around, what the f*** are we even all talking about?!

Funny enough, Sterling mentioned this in their recent video from yesterday.

folks really still just so mad that the last new Final Fantasy made you press buttons to swing a sword?

Other than the super dupe,r old hardcore, old school...not many. A lot of new blood or action game finacidos like or love FFXVI.

I think it's mostly the fact that the developers for Expedition broke away from the big publisher corporate slavery and were able to use their talent to make a "good" game. Expedition 33 will be the poster child for the kind of games we could get if big publishers would just let devs make what they want instead of trying to corporatize everything.

Yep. Not to mention the usual labor of love of a genre wanted to be and are in right now.

 

[Old_Hunter_77]

> I nor the video have no idea where you're coming from about this. Unless you're talking about the Japanaphobia from the 2005-2014.

In the beginning of the video he talks about how brave and bold the studio was for making a turn-based RPG. I am paraphrasing because it's also something that pretty much every review of this game I've encountered mentions. I know you specifically are not saying this that's why I'm identifying it as a games coverage narrative. You know me- I like nitpicking consensus talking points.

 

[Old_Hunter_77]

I think it's mostly the fact that the developers for Expedition broke away from the big publisher corporate slavery and were able to use their talent to make a "good" game. Expedition 33 will be the poster child for the kind of games we could get if big publishers would just let devs make what they want instead of trying to corporatize everything.

True there's definitely the hero narrative of the little guy. Which funny enough also was applied to Baldur's Gate 3! (I know they're not little but since Larian is "independent" they certainly benefitted from that whole anti-AAA hero story).

 

[CriticalGaming]

True there's definitely the hero narrative of the little guy. Which funny enough also was applied to Baldur's Gate 3! (I know they're not little but since Larian is "independent" they certainly benefitted from that whole anti-AAA hero story).

The industry is stubborn and needs to be taught these lessons over and over and over again before they'll listen.

 

[BrawlMan]

In the beginning of the video he talks about how brave and bold the studio was for making a turn-based RPG.

Never mind then. I missed that beginning part. Though he's technically not wrong with the scope and size of it coming from a much smaller studio's first big project game. This is a game not using any retro throwback graphics and plays well with unique mechanics.

 

[PsychedelicDiamond]

I think it's mostly the fact that the developers for Expedition broke away from the big publisher corporate slavery and were able to use their talent to make a "good" game. Expedition 33 will be the poster child for the kind of games we could get if big publishers would just let devs make what they want instead of trying to corporatize everything.

It definitely shows that couple dozen people who actually take pride in their labour can accomplish more than a couple hundred who just show up to work because they're paid to.

I've not finished it yet but it definitely feels like a passion project. And it goes to show how you put a limited budget to good use. Even if you can tell that they cut a few corners here and there, they put their resources into all the stuff you actually remember like art direction, music and animations instead of pointless nonsense like dynamically shrinking horse testicles.

 

[CriticalGaming]

here and there, they put their resources into all the stuff you actually remember like art direction, music and animations instead of pointless nonsense like dynamically shrinking horse testicles.

To be fair there is also some merit in trying to be on the forefront of the cutting edge. You need companies trying to digital recreate testicle behavior so that doing so is easier for the little guy later on.

It's just a balancing act that the industry fails at. There is nothing wrong with the cashcow Fortnite game here and there, the problem is when every game tries to make that happen.

The same way that people would get bored if every game was an Undertale. Sometimes you want the Blockbuster junk food games.


Also having finished the game i think the story is nonsense, and that's all I'm going to say about it.

 

[BrawlMan]

You need companies trying to digital recreate testicle behavior so that doing so is easier for the little guy later on.

Nobody was asking for it, nor was it actually necessary. This why will always take unique or different art style over ultra realism any day of the week.

What you describe though capcom has been doing since 2016-2017 with Monster Hunter World and RE7. That and the Chinese or Koreans have been cooking too.

was an Undertale. Sometimes you want the Blockbuster junk food games

Thank god for that. Undertale has nough bullshit already from the fandom. Well, right now we are still filled to the brim with Vampire Survivors clones. I'm not interested in all of them but most are good or great from what I hear so far.

As for Blockbuster junk food games, that's rarely a case for me. Though games like Ghost of Tsushima, Rift Apart, the Sony Spider-Man games, or DMC5 I wouldn't call junk food.

 

[Old_Hunter_77]

It's weird to me that the horse testicles has become the go-to reference for exaggerated graphical detail when that's from an extremely beloved game, Red Dead Redemption 2.

And I agree with u/CriticalGaming, there should be room for all kinds of artistic and technical expression. As it is with every medium- we can and should have both superhero movies and heartfelt intimate movies.

Anyway I just played through the prologue and couple fights and omg is this one gonna be rough with the freaking doding and parrying. I am overwhelmed by the all of the visual information on the screen and it makes reacting to the attacks really hard. I also just don't believe the game suggesting that dodging and parrying are not necessary in default difficulty because I'm dying in two hits.

It is very very pretty looking.

 

[BrawlMan]

Analyst claims Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is selling twice as fast as any other recent JRPG has on Steam—and it's got me wondering what the secret sauce is

Looks like PC gamers love Clair Obscur (hi, I'm PC gamers).

www.pcgamer.com

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Hits 2 Million Copies Sold After 12 Days on Sale - IGN

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is now up to 2 million copies sold after 12 days on sale. That’s up from the 1 million sold three days after launch. It's a big hit for French developer Sandfall Interactive.

www.ign.com

This game keeps on groovin!

Anyway I just played through the prologue and couple fights and omg is this one gonna be rough with the freaking doding and parrying. I am overwhelmed by the all of the visual information on the screen and it makes reacting to the attacks really hard. I also just don't believe the game suggesting that dodging and parrying are not necessary in default difficulty because I'm dying in two hits.

Like I said before, just drop to story mode and practice your timings. You're never punished at all for upping or lowering the difficulties as much as you want.

 

[PsychedelicDiamond]

It's weird to me that the horse testicles has become the go-to reference for exaggerated graphical detail when that's from an extremely beloved game, Red Dead Redemption 2.

Well, yes, I'm not saying that RDR2 isn't a really good game. But I will say that RDR 2 could have probably been made on, like, 30% of its budget and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference because so much of it went to stuff you barely notice while playing.

 

[BrawlMan]

Expedition 33 Becomes Metacritic's Highest-Rated Game of All Time

Gamers have awarded Sandfall Interactive's masterpiece with a score of 9.8 on PC and 9.7 on consoles.

80.lv

After selling over one million copies in just three days, receiving praise from French President Emmanuel Macron, and becoming a top contender for Game of the Year 2025 in the eyes of many – all with a modest team of around 60 creators – Sandfall Interactive's magnum opus has added one more accolade to its list, now earning the title of Metacritic's highest-rated video game of all time.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Director Came Up With The Game While Bored At Ubisoft

Guillaume Broche was looking "to do something different."

www.gamespot.com

Boredom can be productive, apparently. At least it was for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 director Guillaume Broche, who first dreamed about creating the critically acclaimed RPG while "bored in their job" at Ubisoft in 2020.

BBC reports Broche then started looking "to do something different" while working at the French company known for Assassin's Creed, Just Dance, and Splinter Cell. But he was going to need help building a game inspired by one of his favorite franchises growing up--Final Fantasy.

Ubisoft got screwed again. I do find it amazing and ironic this game became an overnight success, because the creator got bored at really shitty company that's basically slop factory. Glad they could leave that mess behind. They're their own masters now!

 

[The Rogue Wolf]

Ubisoft got screwed again. I do find it amazing and ironic this game became an overnight success, because the creator got bored at really shitty company that's basically slop factory. Glad they could leave that mess behind. They're their own masters now!

Of course, the AAA companies will learn nothing from this, and continue to waste money and burn out employees on trend-chasing live-service garbage.

 

[Old_Hunter_77]

Ah, the requisite Ubisoft bashing. Let's just ignore the fact that their most recent "slop" is critically and commercially successful and last year they released one of the most critically acclaimed games that amongst critics is universally considered one of the most underappreciated games of that year.

 

[Old_Hunter_77]

Like I said before, just drop to story mode and practice your timings. You're never punished at all for upping or lowering the difficulties as much as you want.

I've promised myself to not drop games to easy/story mode. I want to play games as intended and especially if I'm not paying for it separately.

Played a bit more and I realize that some fights are just skippable. I'm gonna use this game to correct some of my bad gaming habits, like giving up too quickly. We'll see how that goes- these days my gaming sessions are shorter, no more 3-4 hour couch jams so maybe this goal won't last. But this game's combat is interesting and I want to actually try to grock it.

 

[BrawlMan]

I've promised myself to not drop games to easy/story mode. I want to play games as intended and especially if I'm not paying for it separately.

Sweet! I'm glad you are doing that.