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Hi everyone! I'm Yuna.

I'm excited to share a game review from our very own CM Flint—a passionate Korean gamer known for his detailed analyzes and deep love for games. His insights are always so helpful, so I hope you'll enjoy reading his thoughts on Claire Obscure: Expedition 33! 😊

Claire Obscure: Expedition 33: Reviewed by CM Flint – STOVE Community Manager

Please note that the screenshots may contain Korean text.

"The Only Drawback Is That the Game's Name is Hard to Remember"

💎 First Impressions

Do you often buy games on Stove Store?

I tend to buy games occasionally, usually priced between 10,000 to 30,000 won when discounted.

Stove mainly features visual novels or dating sims centered around cute girl characters. They often support developers and sometimes release Stove-exclusive titles.

Nevertheless, I prefer buying games from different genres, since many diverse games on Stove Store often don't get the attention they deserve. (Maybe it's just me thinking that way… but it's sad to see many games without reviews.)

So, I had high expectations for today's game since it received considerable praise not only from Stove but also from domestic and international game media. I hoped this game would lead to more AAA titles coming to Stove.

It seems I’ll be keeping my expectations high for a while longer.. Today's review is about the masterpiece RPG made in France, Claire Obscure: Expedition 33.

※ Due to the nature of this review, there may be some spoilers from the early part of the game.

⌚ Gameplay

"Perfectly Balanced,

Artistic Quality and Immersion"

A Reminder: France’s Legacy in Revolutionary Art

Actually, I wasn’t particularly interested before its release. The description of "responsive turn-based combat" didn't resonate, and I generally prefer anime-style graphics over realistic ones.

So, frankly, I wasn't very drawn to the French-style artistic design at first.

"Real-time Action" and "Turn-based" Seem Contradictory

However, some catchphrases on the game's store page caught my eye. Despite being a JRPG-style turn-based game, real-time action was described as enhancing turn-based combat.

If you've enjoyed traditional turn-based RPGs, this description might seem unusual.

Turn-based with real-time elements? It initially sounded like a marketing gimmick. Blending these well is indeed challenging.

Yet, this game successfully achieves it, and rather tastefully too.

Since this combination is significant, I'll elaborate on it shortly.

The difference in graphics between in-game and cinematic is hardly noticeable

The first thing that stood out upon starting the game was its graphics. After a brief cinematic, you're immediately given control. Developed in Unreal 5, it delivers strong visual appeal from the outset.

I was worried the cinematic visuals might differ from in-game graphics, but I was pleased to see that customizations made in-game were faithfully reflected in cinematics.

In essence, in-game scenes are the cinematics. Even accounting for my personal taste, I found it highly appealing.

It's Fundamentally Turn-Based, But Timing Matters

By using a system called QTE, you can launch more effective attacks

Let's talk about the combat system. As mentioned earlier, this game adopts a JRPG-style turn-based combat approach.

This system is characterized by clearly defined player and enemy turns, with actions proceeding one-sidedly per turn.

However, in this game, you can react during the enemy’s turn, and there are also extra actions you can perform during your own turn.

This is implemented through a real-time timing system known as QTE (Quick Time Events). Pressing the button at just the right moment during an attack can result in much stronger strikes.

High-Risk, High-Reward Parry System

You can also respond during enemy attacks via dodging or parrying. Dodging simply avoids the attack, while parrying functions similarly to 'parry' systems in other games.

As you might expect, parrying requires much stricter timing than dodging, making it harder to pull off.

Successfully parrying can inflict significant damage on the enemy, so the risk is high but so is the reward.

"Low-Risk, Low-Reward Dodging

vs.

High-Risk, High-Reward Parrying"

But the timing for parrying isn’t easy. I initially stuck with dodging after failing multiple times during the tutorial.

Yet, as you build confidence and get used to the timing, battles become more engaging. Even when you fail, the parry system oddly manages to pull you in.

Depending on the difficulty level, it’s fun to decide which method you want to master.

It faithfully follows the growth system of JRPGs

Let’s take a look at the growth system. Given how well the French sensibility and atmosphere are preserved in this game, I expected the growth system to be somewhat unique as well.

However, contrary to those concerns, the game mechanics strictly follow traditional JRPG conventions.

From using skill points to learn abilities, to the stat-based system and weapon specialization matching your stats—fans of RPGs will find this setup quite satisfying.

There are also unique systems called Pictos (special effects) and Lumina (persistent buffs), which are best experienced directly as they provide enjoyable discovery during gameplay.

📌 Final Thoughts

"A High-Quality JRPG Surprisingly Made Not in Japan,

But by a New French Studio"

While playing, I fully understood why it’s often called an evolved JRPG.

It goes beyond simple turn-based mechanics, introducing timing-based enhanced offense and defense, finely tuned to the game’s difficulty balance.

While playing, I was often reminded of the Final Fantasy series - particularly FF10 and FF15.

They stand out among the most successful JRPGs for their masterful use of classic mechanics.

I expected such gameplay-elevating mechanics to emerge from a Japanese developer - but it was a refreshing surprise to find it from a young French studio.

Many innovative attempts often get blocked by censorship, funding, or other limitations - but I hope more games like this continue to see the light.

A JRPG crafted with the care of French artisans—this was Claire Obscure: Expedition 33!

▶ Go to Store Page (link)

How did you like today's game review? We'd love to help you enjoy your gaming life.

If you're curious, definitely check it out—and let us know your thoughts, too! 😊

We'll see you around.