Welcome to the weekly gaming news roundup. This week, we will be diving into Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a unique JRPG that has taken the gaming world by storm, along with other notable game releases and interesting gaming news.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - A New JRPG Sensation
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, developed by a relatively small, mostly novice team of around 30 people, has redefined the traditional JRPG genre. The game's unique art style and compelling combat mechanics had already garnered attention before its release. The game has exceeded expectations, generating significant buzz and positive feedback that even surprised the developers themselves.
Unprecedented Success and Acclaim
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On release day, Expedition 33 had nearly 100,000 concurrent players on Steam.
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It sold over 500,000 copies within 24 hours, surpassing sales records of many other established JRPGs.
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Within three days, sales exceeded 1 million copies, with physical copies selling out in many locations.
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The game launched simultaneously on Game Pass.
Critically acclaimed, Expedition 33 boasts an average score of 92 on OpenCritic and a perfect 100 recommendation score. On Metacritic, the PS5 version earned a record-breaking 9.7 user score, making it the highest-rated game by players on the platform. This is unprecedented; most games that are very well received score around a 9.3 average.
Unique Gameplay and Influences
Expedition 33 blends JRPG elements with features inspired by other popular games.
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It features a melancholic opening reminiscent of Final Fantasy X.
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Combat mechanics draw inspiration from Final Fantasy VIII and Mario RPG.
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It also incorporates action-rhythm guarding similar to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, as well as Dark Souls-like dodging, checkpoints, and monster design.
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The UI takes cues from Persona.
The developers have taken inspiration from all these sources and have weaved them into something wholly original.
Story and World-Building
The title, Clair Obscur, refers to a Renaissance art technique using strong contrasts between light and dark to create depth. The game's world reflects this concept, presenting a dark and desperate setting with glimmers of hope. The story revolves around a society threatened by a massive entity that annually marks individuals for death. Expeditionary forces are sent out yearly to try and deal with this entity, to no avail.
The game allows players to experience the world's atmosphere through the opening tutorial, showcasing different reactions to despair. The plot unfolds through environmental storytelling, character interactions, and optional dialogues, encouraging players to piece together the narrative and world's lore. The game trusts its players to learn through the world rather than simply holding their hand and telling them what is going on.
Character Design
The characters are well-developed with unique personalities, strengths, and motivations, contributing to a sense of realism and immersion. The character designs are closer to real-world appearances than idealized anime or Korean beauty standards.
Combat System
Expedition 33's combat system blends turn-based strategy with action game elements. Players must time blocks, dodges, and jumps like in a Souls-like game, with precise blocks allowing for counterattacks. The combat also includes QTEs for increased damage. Each character has unique abilities and talent trees, allowing for diverse playstyles and team synergies. The game provides strategic depth, RPG customization, and the satisfaction of action gameplay.
Minor Drawbacks
Despite its many strengths, Expedition 33 has a few shortcomings. Some players have pointed out that the game's character movement can feel a bit floaty. Also, some plotlines could use a bit more development. Lastly, difficulty scaling is something else players have mentioned could use a bit more balancing.
New Game Releases
Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days
Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days is a side-scrolling survival horror game similar to This War of Mine, but set in a zombie apocalypse in 1980s Texas. Players lead survivors to safety, scavenging for resources, fortifying shelters, and managing the group's needs. The game is currently in early access, with feedback focusing on resource balance, difficulty, and replayability.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is a UE5-powered remake of the classic RPG. It overhauls graphics, textures, animations, voice acting, and even the leveling system. The remaster retains the original's spirit, offering a nostalgic experience with modern improvements. Even with its release on Game Pass, it sold 4 million copies in three days.
Gaming Industry Insights
CEO of Larian Studios, Swen Vincke, gave a speech at the previous Game of the Year awards that is still relevant today. He said that the formula for making a great game is simple. Make a game you want to play because nobody else has made it. Do not worry about market shares or brand consolidations. Leaders should ban features that drive revenue but diminish the game's design. He also expressed that the team and the game should come first, because revenue will follow.