Gaming is currently obsessed with numbers. We track frame rates, teraflops, and concurrent player counts like they’re the only things that matter. But honestly? Most of us just want a story that makes us feel something. That’s where Expedition 33—officially titled Clairscur: Expedition 33—comes sliding into the conversation. It looks like a high-budget action game, but it plays like a classic turn-based JRPG. It’s weird. It’s beautiful. And if you’re looking for that specific itch of sci-fi romance and existential dread, it’s probably going to be your new obsession.
Sandfall Interactive, a French studio that seemingly came out of nowhere, is at the helm here. They aren’t just making another fantasy romp. They’re building a world where a literal "Paintress" wakes up once a year to paint a number on a monolith. Anyone whose age matches that number? They turn to smoke. They’re gone. It’s a death sentence by arithmetic. This year, the number is 33. Our protagonists are the members of the 33rd Expedition, and they have one job: kill the Paintress before she can paint 34.
The Core of the Expedition 33 Connection
You can’t have a suicide mission without deep bonds. In games like Mass Effect or Dragon Age, the "romance" isn't just a side quest; it's the glue. Expedition 33 leans hard into this. When you know you’re likely going to die at the end of the road, the quiet moments in camp or the desperate glances during a boss fight carry ten times the weight.
Gustave and Maelle are at the center of this narrative whirlwind. Gustave is your classic burdened leader, voiced by Charlie Cox (yes, Daredevil himself), while Maelle is a fierce combatant looking for her own sense of belonging. The chemistry isn't just in the cutscenes. Sandfall has hinted that the relationships between these characters influence how they function in battle. It’s not just "I love you"; it’s "I’ve got your back because you’re the only thing left in this dying world."
Ben Starr, who voiced Clive in Final Fantasy XVI, is also in the cast. If you’ve heard his voice work, you know he does "devastating emotional trauma" better than almost anyone in the industry. His character, Ricque, adds another layer to the group dynamic. This isn’t just a team. It’s a family formed in the shadow of a literal countdown.
Why the Setting Enhances the Romance
The world of Lumière is inspired by the French Belle Époque. Think ornate architecture, flowing garments, and a sense of sophisticated decay. It’s incredibly romantic in a visual sense, which contrasts sharply with the grim reality of the Paintress.
Imagine walking through a surrealist landscape that looks like a living painting. Now imagine doing that with someone you might lose in forty-eight hours. The stakes are baked into the environment.
Most sci-fi games go for "cold and metallic" or "post-apocalyptic dirt." Expedition 33 goes for "hauntingly beautiful." This choice matters because romance flourishes in beauty. It makes the tragedy of their potential deaths feel more like an affront to the world itself. You aren't just fighting for survival; you’re fighting to keep the beauty of these relationships from being erased by a brushstroke.
Turn-Based Combat with a Reactive Heart
Usually, "turn-based" means you click a menu and watch an animation. Not here. Sandfall is using what they call a reactive system. You have to dodge, parry, and counter in real-time.
If you’ve played Super Mario RPG or Sea of Stars, you know the vibe. But scale it up to a AAA, Unreal Engine 5 production. It’s fast. It’s punishing. If you aren't paying attention during the enemy's turn, Gustave is going to get flattened. This mechanical tension mirrors the narrative tension. You feel the precariousness of their lives every time an enemy winds up a heavy attack.
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- Parrying is everything: Timing a parry can open up a massive counter-attack window.
- Dynamic Skill Trees: Each character has a specific role, but you can nudge them toward different synergies.
- Visual Feedback: The UI is sleek and minimal, keeping the focus on the "paint-like" combat effects.
Honestly, it’s refreshing. We’ve seen so many games move away from turn-based combat because they think it's "boring." Expedition 33 proves that you can have the tactical depth of a JRPG with the adrenaline of a character action game.
The Weight of the Paintress
We need to talk about the villain. The Paintress isn't just a monster in a cave. She’s a god-like entity that defines the rhythm of life and death in this world.
Every year, she paints.
Every year, people die.
The horror of Expedition 33 is that the previous thirty-two expeditions failed. You are playing as the losers of history until you prove otherwise. This creates a "last stand" atmosphere that naturally heightens romantic tension. When there is no "after the war" for most people, the "now" becomes everything.
The game explores the psychological toll of this cycle. Some people in the world of Lumière have accepted their fate. Others are in total denial. Our crew? They’re the ones who decided that 33 is the limit. They’re fueled by a mix of spite, love, and a desperate hope that they can change the rules of the universe.
Comparisons You’ll Probably Make
You’re going to see people compare this to Persona or Final Fantasy. That’s fair. It has the stylish UI of Persona 5 and the cinematic grandiosity of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. But the European art influence gives it a flavor that’s entirely its own.
It feels more "literary." It feels like a tragedy written by Victor Hugo if he had access to a high-end PC.
How to Prepare for the Journey
Expedition 33 is slated for a 2025 release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. It’s also coming to Game Pass on day one, which is a huge win for anyone who wants to dive in without dropping seventy bucks upfront.
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If you want to get the most out of this game, you should probably brush up on your parry timings in other games. This isn't a "sit back and eat chips" kind of turn-based game. It’s an "edge of your seat" experience.
Also, pay attention to the voice cast reveals. With Charlie Cox, Jennifer English (Shadowheart from Baldur’s Gate 3), and Ben Starr, the performances are clearly a priority. This isn't just about the stats on your sword; it’s about the delivery of the lines in the quiet moments between the chaos.
Actionable Steps for RPG Fans
If the mix of romance, sci-fi, and turn-based combat sounds like your brand of chaos, here is how you should handle the lead-up to launch:
- Watch the reveal trailers again, but mute the music. Look at the background details in the environments. The environmental storytelling in the ruins of the previous expeditions tells you more about the stakes than any dialogue could.
- Follow Sandfall Interactive on social media. They’ve been dropping snippets of the soundtrack and concept art that highlight the "Belle Époque" aesthetic.
- Check your subscription. If you have Game Pass, make sure it’s active for the 2025 window. If you’re on PS5, keep an eye out for physical pre-orders, as the art book for this game will likely be a must-have.
- Manage your expectations on length. This is a focused, narrative-driven RPG. Don't expect a 200-hour Ubisoft map-clearing simulator. Expect a tight, emotional journey that knows exactly when to end.
Expedition 33 represents a shift in how Western studios approach the RPG genre. It’s bold, it’s visually arresting, and it isn't afraid to be emotional. By the time the Paintress picks up her brush for the 34th time, you’ll likely be too invested in Gustave and Maelle’s fate to look away.