Launching on April 24 for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set to captivate RPG enthusiasts with its fresh twist on genre staples. Available from day one with Game Pass and supporting Xbox Play Anywhere, the game revealed its unique premise right from its debut trailer. After delving into the review build for countless hours, I’m thrilled to announce that Sandfall Interactive has not only fine-tuned but also re-imagined RPG mechanics, turning every encounter in Expedition 33 into an exhilarating, edge-of-your-seat experience.
Now, the new gaming techniques introduced will undoubtedly require a bit of getting used to given their innovative nature. RPG aficionados should certainly prioritize getting into Expedition 33, and to gear you up, I’ve compiled some spoiler-free insights that definitely would’ve been handy before embarking on my initial voyage into The Continent.
### Stay Engaged
Expedition 33 sets itself apart from many other turn-based RPGs by demanding your undivided attention during battles. Sure, you select your actions from a menu—be it Attack, Skill, and so on—but once you lock in your choice, you’re plunged into an action game mode. This requires precision timing for every spell, attack, heal, or buff to maximize your action’s effect. As you progress, you’ll even unlock high-risk skills where mistiming could lead to catastrophic results but, trust me, that risk factor is part of the fun.
Getting a handle on offense is straightforward enough after a while as you familiarize yourself with the range of moves available. However, dealing with incoming attacks from enemies is a dynamic challenge. Initially, you’ll dodge with the B button or parry using RB. Get used to enemy movements to perfect your timing. My two cents for beginners: opt for Dodging first—its timing is more forgiving. Hone your dodging skills before dabbling with Parries, which, when nailed, can unleash potent counterattacks. Remember, dodging is your early-game lifesaver.
### Gradual Combat Mastery
Should you find yourself struggling with precision or needing more time to adapt to Expedition 33’s gameplay, the difficulty can be tweaked anytime to provide more leeway for Parries or Dodges. Moreover, if you’d rather just relish in the spectacular combat visuals, you can let the game handle QTE moments, freeing you from the input hustle.
### Embrace Fearlessness
Early encounters can be brutal, especially against formidable foes (even mimes can pack a punch!) who might leave you battered. Many such battles are skippable, allowing returns when you’re beefed up. If you do choose a showdown, fear not—death simply resets you nearby. This isn’t a punishment-heavy game like Souls; go all in! Healing at an Expedition Flag causes enemy respawn, letting you repeat zones and strengthen your squad.
### Use Items Freely – They Recharge
At first, healing and respawn items seem scarce, yet they restore each time you rest at a campsite or Expedition Flag. So be bold, heal freely, and if a fight doesn’t end well, regroup and try again.
A quick note about items: I found a bunch of items like Tints and Chroma Catalysts early on without knowing their purpose. Initially, just collect them; their importance unfolds later, so don’t fret—missing out isn’t in the cards.
### Don’t Overlook Shooting
In and out of battles, each character can aim and shoot, merging elements of third-person shooters. Outside battles, this typically interacts with the surroundings. However, you can also shoot at enemy Nevrons to stun them, letting you decide when to initiate combat. Just get close, hit RB, and kick things off with a First Strike.
In battle, though, strategic use of Free Aim consumes 1 Action Point per shot without ending your turn. Targeting Nevrons results in great damage, but even without visible weak points, Free Aim shots can finish off weaker adversaries, and are crucial when facing airborne threats. Load up on Action Points and whittle down enemies before going full force with Skills or Attacks. Master this, and with the Dead Energy Lumina granting AP for every defeated enemy, an army can fall in your turn alone!
### Unpacking Lumina and Pictos
Lumina and Pictos are unique, game-changing features in Expedition 33, but they can be puzzling at first. Let me shed some light:
Think of Pictos like accessories that bestow buffs or abilities on your character. Just like wearing a ring leaves a mark, after winning four battles with a Pictos, you “master” it. This means everyone in your party can eventually use the buff if they have enough Lumina points, which you collect as you level up, along with certain consumable items.
The strategy unfolds as you equip new Pictos you find along your journey—there’ll be many—rotating them as they’re mastered. Over time, personalize your characters by mixing and matching from a trove of Lumina abilities. For maximizing effectiveness, focus on using low-cost but beneficial abilities and keep Pictos equipped for any high-cost, significant ones needing up to 10 Lumina Points.
### Smart Allocations
Every level up brings your characters three points for enhancing Attributes like Vitality or Luck, plus a Skill point. Here’s where it gets interesting: boosting some attributes might also increase others—Agility, for instance, might bump up both Speed and Defense. So, don’t commit right away; toggle around and see which attributes give you the most holistic boost for your stat points.
### Explore Every Corner
Last but not least, venture out—The Continent teems with mystery and intrigue. Expect dead ends to yield items or lead to lucrative battles. Plus, some platforming elements add twists to exploration, so use your abilities, explore thoroughly, and uncover the unexpected bounty.
In my years of gaming, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stands out as a particularly intriguing RPG. So, don’t miss your chance; secure your preorder or preload now.
You can dive into Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on April 24 for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC, equipped with Xbox Play Anywhere and launching directly with Game Pass.
