Summary
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's platforming is intentionally challenging and not just a gimmick, adding depth to gameplay.
- The game's self-awareness of its unreliable platforming adds an endearing and humorous element for players.
- While not perfect, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's platforming enhances the overall experience by adding fun and challenge.
One could argue that there really isn't a lot wrong with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and that argument would hold up in light of how successful it has been. As one of the highest-rated games of 2025 and a front-runner for Game of the Year, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is closer to perfect than most of the games released this year. Its story, characters, combat, music, and exploration are all its biggest strengths, but there are still some minor elements here and there that might be worth a little criticism. One such element is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's platforming.
It's not the only thing about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 that has attracted a sharp gaze, but the game's platforming is nonetheless a bit rage-inducing at times — although that largely depends on how extensive players are in their exploration and their experience with the game's platforming mechanics. Platforming in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lacks the fluidity, accuracy, and animation that would make it a viable way to play the game, and it can lead to some frustrating moments. That being said, there remains an argument in defense of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's platforming, based on its exchange of gimmick for challenge and a degree of self-awareness that often results in humorous scenarios.
The True Hero of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Isn't Who You Think
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leaves a lot of its story open to interpretation, and that especially includes who the true hero of the narrative is.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Janky Platforming Has a Purpose
Clair Obscur's Platforming Exchanges Gimmick for Challenge
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is largely inspired by classic JRPGs like Final Fantasy 10, so platforming is naturally not really a major part of its gameplay. There are certainly plenty of moments throughout the game that require players to leap from one platform to the next, but they are few and far between. That said, when they do arrive on the scene, they can result in frustration, especially if players see a reward waiting for them at the end of the line. However, that's all part of it, as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 foregoes including platforming for gimmick's sake and instead incorporates it as part of the challenge to earning those rewards.
It's not the only thing about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 that has attracted a sharp gaze, but the game's platforming is nonetheless a bit rage-inducing at times.
Since platforming isn't the focus of a JRPG and therefore isn't really all that necessary, including it in a game like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 might make it feel like a gimmick — like it's there "just because." However, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's platforming feels more intentional than that, as it generally prefers to make players work for certain rewards rather than easily finding them lying on the ground around a corner. When examined through that lens, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's platforming offers players a challenge rather than just a fun way to acquire a valuable item.
Clair Obscur Is Aware of Its Unreliable Platforming, Increasing Its Endearing Nature
While seeing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's platforming as an intentional challenge rather than a gimmick might be a bit subjective, it's tough to argue the endearing nature of its platforming mechanics when the game's self-awareness becomes evident. Some of the most frustrating platforming occurs in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Gestral Beaches, where players are sometimes required to complete arduous platforming challenges to earn rewards.
One of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Gestral Beaches is even highly reminiscent of SCKR Games' Only Up!, which required players to climb a series of obstacles as high as they can before it was permanently removed from Steam for using copyrighted assets.
Where these platforming challenges derive their endearing nature is in their rewards. When players complete a Gestral Beach, they are rewarded with swimsuits for each of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's playable characters. In other words, the game is fully aware of how badly players will want to put each character in a swimsuit, so it often puts those rewards at the end of some frustrating platforming challenges. Monoco's swimsuit, especially, which is essentially a speedo, is just another example of how the rage induced by Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's platforming can easily be laughed away.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 may never be praised for having great platforming, but it still works in the context of what the game occasionally tries to be. There are plenty of moments of mischief and humor in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and these are especially highlighted during the game's platforming sequences. If anything, it’s just a sign that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 isn't afraid to have a little fun at the player's expense.
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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
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Genre(s)
- Turn-Based RPG, JRPG, Fantasy
