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A Masterpiece of Art, Emotion, and RPG Innovation – GOTY Contender

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is nothing short of a revelation. From the very first moments, it’s clear this is something special—a rare, beautifully-painted world inspired by Belle Époque France that begs you to slow down and take it all in. The visual design is simply unforgettable: every landscape, city, and shadowed corner is a work of art that stays in your mind long after you look away. Even with settings turned down for Steam Deck OLED, the vibrant palette and stylish design never lose their magic.

The music is equally on point—a haunting, lovely soundtrack that knows exactly when to swell and when to let quiet speak for your emotions. The voice acting is possibly the best I’ve ever heard in an RPG; every line, from desperate cries to casual banter, rings true and elevates the storytelling.

Speaking of story: the writing and characters here are top tier. Each party member’s backstory is intricately woven, and their reactions to trauma and danger feel realistic and raw. This isn’t just a game about killing monsters; it’s about people and pain and hope.

The turn-based combat is where the real fun lies—a system that feels fresh, challenging, and satisfyingly unique. Real-time mechanics keep you engaged, and you genuinely need to learn your enemies to win. There are even moments of brilliant comic relief (seriously, shout out to the trash can interaction—thank you Sandfall for letting me have that breather!).

Some mini-games might feel unnecessary, but the game is self-aware enough to poke fun at old school RPG traditions, and it works as a loving nod rather than a groan-worthy chore.

Technically, the optimization here is masterful. Not a hitch or stutter—just pure immersion wherever I play. For a day-one release, that’s a rare and welcome treat.

And let’s talk value: at the price point offered, this is a $50 game ($60 Deluxe) that puts almost all of its competition to shame. It honestly makes you question what’s going on with other AAA devs (looking at you, Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony) and their ever-rising prices for games we don’t even fully own anymore. Here, you feel respected as a player—and that’s worth celebrating.

Thank you, Sandfall and Kepler, for doing it right and setting a new standard. If the games industry has any sense left, they’ll look to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as the blueprint for how to serve their players with respect, artistry, and just plain fun.

No question: this is a must-play. Game of the Year, and one of the finest modern RPGs money can buy.