Clair Expedition 33
Embark on a desperate quest to break the Paintress' cycle of death in this groundbreaking turn-based RPG set in a hauntingly beautiful world inspired by Belle Époque France.
A World on the Brink
In the hauntingly beautiful world inspired by Belle Époque France, the isolated island of Lumière faces an annual catastrophe known as the "Gommage." Each year, the mysterious Paintress awakens to paint a cursed number, causing everyone of that age to vanish without a trace. The city of Lumiere, resembling a chunk of Paris, stands as the last bastion of humanity against this relentless cycle.
As the number ticks down year after year, Expedition 33 sets out on their final mission to destroy the Paintress and break this deadly cycle. With only one year left to live, Gustave, Maelle, and their fellow Expeditioners must work together against impossible odds. Their journey takes them through breathtaking landscapes, from the iconic but droopy Eiffel Tower to the mysterious Island of Visages and the Forgotten Battlefield.
The game's narrative is brought to life through dramatic voice acting from Charlie Cox, Jennifer English, Ben Starr, and Andy Serkis. Both French and English voice acting are available, adding cultural flavor to this unique gaming experience. The story unfolds as players follow the trail of previous expeditions and discover their fate, piecing together the mystery of the Paintress and the Gommage.
Innovative Gameplay
Reactive Combat
Experience a unique blend of turn-based strategy and real-time action. Dodge, parry, and counter enemy attacks while chaining devastating combos. The combat system features a free aim system that allows players to target enemy weak points with precision, creating a dynamic and engaging battle experience.
Mythical Companions
Befriend legendary creatures like Esquie, a giant plushie-like mythical being who can swim, blast through rocks, and eventually fly you around the world. Each companion has unique abilities that can be unlocked by finding special items and completing specific quests, adding depth to the exploration and puzzle-solving aspects of the game.
Stunning Visuals
Built with Unreal Engine 5, the game features breathtaking landscapes and surreal adversaries in a beautifully crafted world. The attention to detail in the environment design, character models, and special effects creates an immersive experience that brings the world of Clair Expedition 33 to life.
Rich Storytelling
Immerse yourself in a deep narrative that explores themes of mortality, sacrifice, and hope. The story is told through cinematic cutscenes, environmental storytelling, and character interactions, creating an emotional journey that stays with players long after they finish the game.
Dynamic World
The game world evolves as you progress, with new areas becoming accessible as you unlock abilities and solve puzzles. Each location has its own unique challenges, secrets, and stories to discover, encouraging exploration and rewarding curiosity.
Customizable Experience
Tailor your gameplay experience with various difficulty settings, control schemes, and accessibility options. The game also features multiple language options for both text and voice acting, ensuring players from around the world can enjoy the experience in their preferred language.
How to Play
1Master the Combat System
Experience a unique blend of turn-based strategy and real-time action. Time your attacks, dodge enemy strikes, and chain devastating combos. Use the free aim system to target enemy weak points for maximum damage. Each character has unique combat abilities that can be combined for powerful team attacks.
2Befriend Mythical Creatures
Find and befriend Esquie, a giant plushie-like creature. Help it find its special stone friends to unlock new abilities like swimming, rock blasting, and eventually flying. Use these abilities to explore new areas and solve puzzles. Each ability opens up new possibilities for exploration and combat.
3Explore the World
Journey through breathtaking landscapes inspired by Belle Époque France. Discover hidden quests, solve environmental puzzles, and uncover the secrets of previous expeditions. Every location tells a story, and careful exploration will reward you with valuable items, lore, and character development opportunities.
4Build Your Team
Work with Gustave, Maelle, Lune, and Sciel, each with unique abilities and skills. Learn to combine their strengths in combat and exploration. Develop strategies that make the most of each character's special abilities. As you progress, you'll unlock new skills and abilities for each character, allowing for deeper customization of your team.
5Solve Environmental Puzzles
Use your team's abilities and Esquie's powers to solve environmental puzzles. Manipulate the world around you to progress, from moving obstacles to activating ancient mechanisms. Each puzzle brings you closer to breaking the Paintress' cycle and reveals more about the world's history and mysteries.
6Uncover the Story
Follow the trail of previous expeditions and discover their fate. Piece together the mystery of the Paintress and the Gommage. Your choices and discoveries will shape the outcome of Expedition 33's final mission. Pay attention to environmental details, character dialogues, and collectible items to fully understand the rich narrative.
Meet the Expeditioners
Gustave
Engineer with a year left to live
A brilliant engineer who uses his technical knowledge to solve puzzles and create innovative weapons. His calm demeanor belies a deep determination to break the Paintress' cycle.
Maelle
Gustave's foster sister
A skilled fighter with a mysterious past. Her connection to Gustave drives her to protect him at all costs, even as they face the impossible odds of their mission.
Lune
Scholar and mage
A brilliant scholar who studies the Paintress and the Gommage. Her magical abilities and knowledge of ancient texts prove invaluable in understanding and combating the cycle.
Sciel
Warrior of the expedition
A seasoned warrior with unmatched combat skills. His experience in previous expeditions makes him a crucial asset in the team's fight against the Paintress.
Explore a Haunting World
Journey through breathtaking landscapes inspired by Belle Époque France. From the iconic but droopy Eiffel Tower to the mysterious Island of Visages and the Forgotten Battlefield, every location tells a story. The world is rich with historical references and architectural details that bring the era to life, while the supernatural elements create a unique and haunting atmosphere.
Encounter unique enemies, including a tribe of mime adversaries and other surreal creatures. Each enemy type requires different strategies to defeat, and their designs reflect the game's blend of historical and fantastical elements. The world is filled with hidden quests and secrets that reward thorough exploration and careful observation.
The game's world is built using Unreal Engine 5, allowing for stunning visual fidelity and detailed environments. Dynamic lighting, weather effects, and day-night cycles create an immersive experience that brings the world of Clair Expedition 33 to life. Each location has its own unique atmosphere and challenges, encouraging players to explore every corner of this beautifully crafted world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What platforms is the game available on?
Clair Expedition 33 is available on Xbox Series X|S and Windows 10/11 since April 24, 2025.
What makes the combat system unique?
The game features a reactive turn-based combat system enhanced by real-time actions. Players can chain combos by mastering attack rhythms and target enemy weak points with a free aim system.
Who are the voice actors?
The game features dramatic voice acting from Charlie Cox, Jennifer English, Ben Starr, and Andy Serkis. Both French and English voice acting are available.
What is the Gommage?
The Gommage is an annual catastrophe where the Paintress awakens to paint a cursed number, causing everyone of that age to vanish without a trace. This cycle repeats every year, with the number decreasing annually.
What is Esquie and what can it do?
Esquie is a giant plushie-like mythical creature that can be befriended. It can swim, blast through rocks, and eventually fly you around the world. However, it needs its special stone friends to unlock these abilities.
What inspired the game's world design?
The game's world is inspired by Belle Époque France, featuring iconic locations like a droopy Eiffel Tower. The setting combines historical elements with dark fantasy, creating a unique and haunting atmosphere.
What game engine was used to develop Clair Expedition 33?
The game was developed using Unreal Engine 5, which allows for stunning graphics and detailed environments. This is Sandfall Interactive's debut game, showcasing their technical capabilities.
What makes the story unique?
The story follows Expedition 33, a group of characters who have only one year left to live. They must work together to break the Paintress' cycle of death, facing impossible odds and discovering the fate of previous expeditions.
Are there any special editions available?
Yes, the game offers Deluxe and Ultimate editions that include special outfits inspired by the Flowers of Lumière and custom outfits for main characters.
What kind of enemies will players face?
Players will encounter a variety of unique enemies, including a tribe of mime adversaries and other surreal creatures. Each enemy type requires different strategies to defeat.