As we approach the end of the year, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has serious Game of the Year contender vibes for me still. The game’s beautiful Belle Époque art style and cinematic storytelling evoke classics like Final Fantasy 13 and Nier: Automata, but its unique turn-based active timed battles truly set it apart. This innovative combat system makes every encounter feel fresh and exciting, much like how MercurySteam revitalized Castlevania with Lords of Shadow.
After 30 hours of gameplay and rolling credits, I can honestly say that this is a modern masterpiece that delivers on style, substance and bold new storytelling ideas.
