Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

A French turn-based role-playing video game developed by Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive on April 24, 2025, for Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Set in a dark fantasy world inspired by the Belle Époque era, the game features the city of Lumière, reminiscent of Paris, which is separated from the continent. The central narrative revolves around an annual ritual called "Gommage," performed by a mysterious entity known as the Paintress, who paints a number in the sky each year. This number signifies the age at which all individuals instantly turn to dust; in 2025, the number is 33, threatening humanity with extinction. Players control a group of characters from Expedition 33, including Gustave, Maelle, Lune, Sciel, Verso, Monoco, and Esquieu, as they journey to the continent to confront the Paintress and halt the cycle of death. Gameplay combines turn-based combat with real-time elements, such as quick-time events and timed actions. Each character has unique abilities: Maelle switches stances to maximize damage, Lune employs elemental spells, and Sciel manages action point distribution. The game has been praised for its deep narrative, well-developed characters, and innovative combat system, achieving over 2 million copies sold within the first two weeks of release.