Clair Obscure: Expedition 33, to put it simply is a game that delves deep into the topic of grief.
It explores how death shapes our lives, our thoughts, and the ways we process loss.
This is an emotionally layered experience that will touch your soul and pull at your emotions.

• Story & Characters
  The story is fresh and creative, and I was genuinely impressed by how balanced and well written it felt. The elements of mystery and suspense were executed beautifully. The game knows exactly how to keep you hooked without overexplaining or tipping its hand too early.
  As for the characters, despite the name “Clair Obscure,” most of them live firmly in the grey area. They’re complex, flawed, and deeply human imperfect in a way that makes them feel real.
  
  
• Gameplay & Combat
  The turn-based combat system here is incredibly refreshing. It feels innovative, engaging, and fast-paced without being overwhelming. I can see a small minority not vibing with it, but honestly, even players who don’t usually like turn-based combat will probably find it fun.
  
  
• Music & Visuals
  Calling the soundtrack a “masterpiece” almost feels like underselling it. It’s enchanting, haunting, and one of the most powerful uses of music I’ve seen in a game in years.
  Visually, the game is breathtaking. It’s clear the art team poured passion and skill into every frame the aesthetics feel less like a backdrop and more like a living, moving piece of art.

Lastly, this game is absolutely worth your time. It won’t disappoint you and it might even stay with you long after the credits roll.

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this edit is related to the ending of the game

The discord surrounding the player's choice for the ending of this game sparked my interest, pushing me to explore every nook and cranny to experience both conclusions and build my own argument.
To me, both endings are two faces of the same tarnished and rusty coin. Both are miserable and perhaps questionable in their own ways, yet the player is forced to make a "cruel choice," as stated in the cutscene.

A respectable amount of the online debate revolves around "the glorification of Verso and the villainization of Maelle," with many claiming that choosing Verso is the objectively correct choice. Facing hardships head-on instead of avoiding them is indeed crucial for moving past them, a point I agree with. However, this decision is neither easy nor as convenient as people often paint it to be.
I think it's important to highlight that although I resonate with Verso, I also understand that his decision is driven by 67 years of experience within this canvas. Furthermore, Verso wasn't always the brave, all-good hero. He was a person an older brother with flaws. It took him time, experience, and a great love for his sister and family to be able to make this decision, and it clearly wasn't easy for him to do so.

As for those who villainize Maelle, their stance, in my opinion, shows a lack of emotional maturity and understanding of the whole story. Maelle's choice is totally understandable and is strongly aligned with her limited experience. I dare say that it’s very plausible Verso would have done the same had the roles been reversed. This claim is supported by the incident involving Julie of Expedition 0. Verso is referred to as someone who hides behind a mask; "he who hides truth with lies" is not the description of a purely confrontational person. Although he holds no ill intentions toward the expedition and Maelle, he was nonetheless deceptive towards them. His actions were a clear portrayal of a loving older sibling who simply cannot bear to allow their younger sibling to make the same mistakes or face the same shortcomings as they did.

But here is the core of the issue: to confront the truth and face reality, you must first confront yourself. And that, to me, is where Maelle is in that moment. Unlike her mother, Ailne, she is not in denial that she is avoiding reality; in fact, she is fully aware that the canvas is an escape. And perhaps that's where the player who prefers her ending lays, too. They are in this fictional world (this canvas)with no one else but themselves, yet they are honest and truthful to themselves. This is not easy, and it is the very first step toward true confrontation: confronting one's own desires and understanding one's own escape.
There is also the valid moral argument that the people of Lumière are real and that destroying the canvas is therefore morally wrong and unethical.

Thus, I do not believe Maelle is a villain in any aspect. She is simply young, inexperienced, with the weight of so much on her shoulders, and unsurprisingly drawn to what feels familiar for a sense of safety (which is following in her mother's footsteps).

thank you ! <3