Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 launched in 2025 from Sandfall Interactive, a French studio flexing Belle Époque aesthetics in a turn-based RPG where death comes for everyone at a specific age. Set in a world where the Paintress eliminates anyone who reaches the year she paints, Expedition 33 follows the titular group trying to stop her before she paints "33." The game mixed JRPG combat with real-time action elements, Parisian art nouveau visuals, and a narrative that critics described as hauntingly beautiful. StreamerHouse's 323-viewer peak in 2025 reflected strong interest in this AA passion project that felt like Persona meets Dishonored in 1900s France. Reviews praised the unique setting and art direction, though some noted the combat didn't fully commit to turn-based or action, leaving it in an awkward middle ground. The game launched on Game Pass day one, ensuring a wide audience despite being from a relatively unknown studio. Expedition 33 was the kind of stylish, mid-budget RPG that the industry needed more of—distinctive, beautiful, and willing to take narrative risks even if the gameplay didn't fully revolutionize the genre. It proved French game dev wasn't just Ubisoft towers and Quantic Dream pretension.