Summary
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is globally acclaimed for its JRPG-inspired builds and engaging combat mechanics.
- Fans awaiting a sequel can find solace in alternatives like WitchSpring R with deep customization and rewarding gameplay.
- Sea Of Stars offers emotionally intense storytelling and strategic gameplay akin to Clair Obscur, captivating players.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has made a name for itself worldwide, and the gaming community can’t seem to stop talking about it . Critics and industry peers have nothing but praise for it, too. The developers at Sandfall Interactive had a creative vision from the get-go that took inspiration from classic JRPGs. That influence is easy to spot, especially in how the game players experiment with different builds for each character. It may not offer an open-world experience, but it does feature rewarding exploration with many optional dungeons and boss fights.
Now that the game has been out for a while, most Clair Obscure fans are now done with it, and for them, the wait for a sequel is already starting to feel endless. Thankfully, there are more than a few fantastic alternatives that can tide fans over with a close enough experience.
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WitchSpring R
Charming Aesthetic, Deep Character Customization, And A Heartfelt Story
WitchSpring R
- Released
- September 25, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, RPG, Indie Games
Indie titles that can actually compete with AAA games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 are rare. WitchSpring R is one of them. While its bright and cheery art direction might not suggest it, this game actually tells a nuanced story. The main character is a young witch known as Pieberry, who had to go into hiding from her world's knight order. Despite her grim situation (which would make most people collapse under pressure), she is a bundle of joy who retains her positivity.
WitchSpring R offers an excellent blend of player agency with its intricate game design. Players can level Pieberry’s spells and traits, not just with battles, but with routine life-sim tasks and mini-games. Crafting and collecting different ingredients allows access to new, powerful spells. Players can also capture different summons and use them in battles.
Shadow Hearts: From The New World
Will Delight Fans Of Innovative Game Design
Shadow Hearts: From the New World
- Released
- July 28, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Nautilus
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Shadow Hearts: From the New World is a standalone entry in the vastly underrated Shadow Hearts series. Sadly, it's only playable with a working copy and a functioning PS2. Nevertheless, i t is one of the best turn-based JRPGs, and its high-risk, high-reward combat gameplay rivals that of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. A big part of what makes the combat so memorable is the game’s signature ‘Judgment Ring’ mechanic. Mastering it boosts damage output and prolongs the attack chain, but failing to do so has negative consequences.
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There are also fusion forms for the main heroine that offer different abilities to encourage a tactical approach. Despite the colorful aesthetic and some silliness in the character design, the gripping story has a dark undertone. The alternative historical setting representing the Americas adds a unique, visually distinct flavor to the environmental levels.
Sea Of Stars
A Love Letter To Classic JRPGs
Sea of Stars
- Released
- August 29, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Sabotage
- Genre(s)
- RPG
The devs behind Sea of Stars and C lair Obscura: Expedition 33 had similar motivations of evoking and innovating on the classic RPG formula. While the two games are worlds apart graphically, they share common gameplay elements. One of the major ones is the emphasis on active-time defense via precision button presses in turn-based battles, which makes enemy encounters challenging and fun. A wide range of character abilities encourages players to experiment, while also keeping in mind that positioning is as crucial as anything else.
The story of Sea of Stars has many heartbreaking moments that will catch players off guard. Some companions will leave the party in dramatic twists, and their absence will resonate in environmental storytelling. Speaking of environments, traversing the immersive and beautiful in-game world is an utterly breathtaking experience.
Lies Of P
A Soulslike With A Similar Visual And Tonal Style
Lies of P
- Released
- September 19, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Round8 Studio, Neowiz
- Genre(s)
- Soulslike
Lies of P is a fascinating retelling of the tale of Pinocchio, set in a similar backdrop and style to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ s Belle Époque era. Both games feature interconnected linear worlds that encourage and reward players for exploring. The progression system and upgrades have a lot of variety. Players will enjoy tinkering around with different weapons to find the one that suits their playstyle.
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Since Lies of P is a soulslike, its combat approach is wildly different, thanks to intense enemy encounters and boss fights. The enemy variety pushes players out of their comfort zone to find and exploit weaknesses. Parrying is essential for surviving the flurry of enemy attacks from all sides.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Tactical Gameplay And A Compelling Plot
Metaphor: ReFantazio
- Released
- October 11, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
The anime-style visuals of Metaphor: ReFantazio might give the impression that the game is a light-hearted affair. However, it has an intense narrative that deals with themes of racial tensions and high stakes. Many players describe the game as a more refined take on the Persona series that forgoes the high-school setting.
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Like in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, assembling the ideal party to deal with enemies is a central game mechanic. It will constantly change depending on the enemy’s weakness and environmental conditions. The Archetype character class system in Metaphor: ReFantazio allows far greater customization flexibility. Every party member can have more than one Archetype, and compatible ones between party members allow access to unique synthesis skills that deal massive damage.
Final Fantasy 16
Mature Storytelling With Flashy, Fluid Combat
Final Fantasy 16
- Released
- June 22, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
While Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 devs have cited the 10th mainline installment as a clear inspiration, Final Fantasy 16 charts new territory worth checking out. It’s a mature, dark fantasy revenge story that will hook players from the start. The game is a visual stunner with enchanting graphics and bleak environments that complement the narrative.
Players can only control Clive, the protagonist of Final Fantasy 16. However, the game’s combat has a lot of depth and spectacle that will appeal to fans of action RPGs. Clive’s Eikon abilities grant various elemental attacks that can be switched up on the fly during combat. Parrying and precision dodges are also vital mechanics to master, especially on harder difficulties where enemies are relentless.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Fantastic Narrative Plot-Twists That Bleed Into The Gameplay
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
- Released
- July 26, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Intelligent Systems
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, RPG
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has a gameplay loop based around strategic thinking, something that Fire Emblem: Three Houses is also notorious for. Nintendo took things further with this game’s narrative, requiring multiple playthroughs to understand the full scope of the story. A profound plot twist mid-way gives players pause and essentially causes them to be torn over the critical choices they’ll have to make.
Battles can go down in many ways, depending on who is prioritized for training. That particular character's skill level at the time and the strength of their bond with the protagonist will factor into their overall fighting ability. Positioning is a primary gameplay component of Fire Emblem: Three Houses, but weapon arts and battalion support add even more tactical options.
Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance
A Sprawling World Full Of Dangers And Atmospheric Dread
Shin Megami Tensei 5
- Released
- November 12, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance is the definitive game to satisfy players craving more of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The two titles share many game mechanics and focus on a narrative with a lot of gravitas. This game’s morally gray choices feel like a window into the player’s soul.
Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance features a spectacular semi-open world with lots of secrets to uncover. Finding the right party of demons and training them to set up the perfect skill sequence is crucial. Turn-based combat scenarios are an intuition test for players to discover and exploit an enemy’s weakness. The boss fights are grand and ominous, and the accompanying soundtrack really makes the whole experience enjoyable and immersive.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 92 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- April 24, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Sandfall Interactive
- Publisher(s)
- Kepler Interactive
WHERE TO PLAY
- PC Release Date
- April 24, 2025
- Genre(s)
- Turn-Based RPG, JRPG, Fantasy
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC