Released on April 24th, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 quickly gained notoriety, especially in Japan, where it received acclaim for its quality and for capturing the essence of JRPGs. Developed by French studio Sandfall Interactive, the game surprisingly won over Japanese critics, given that it is not of Japanese origin.
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The prestigious Famitsu magazine rated the title with a score of 36/40, with the four critics giving it 9/10 each, which is one of the best scores ever given to a foreign RPG.
Elements that won over Japanese critics
What caught Famitsu's attention most was the combination of classic JRPG elements with the French team's unique identity. The soundtrack and visual presentation were the first aspects praised, followed by the engaging narrative, which manages to keep the player engaged from beginning to end.
The map design was also considered a great success, being described as "miraculous." Critics highlighted that, despite the map's complexity, players don't get lost during exploration, which is a major advantage for an open-world game.
Another important aspect was the difficulty system, which appealed to both newcomers and more experienced players. This made the game accessible to a wide range of audiences, allowing more people to enjoy the experience without feeling frustrated.
Comparison with big names in the genre
Famitsu compared Clair Obscur to genre giants like Final Fantasy 6 and Final Fantasy 16. The game was highlighted for connecting with the legacy of classic JRPGs, maintaining the essence that has captivated generations of fans. This recommendation reinforces how well Clair Obscur fits into the tradition of the genre's greatest titles, even coming from a French studio.
Although the game earned an excellent rating, it didn't reach Famitsu's maximum 40/40 score, something reserved for only the greatest games. Even so, the score achieved is already a significant achievement for a title from outside Japan. British magazine Edge also didn't give Clair Obscur a 10, as it did with legendary titles, but that doesn't diminish the game's impact on critics.
A love letter from France to JRPGs
Before the official review, Famitsu published an article describing Clair Obscur as "France's best love letter to Japanese RPGs." Furthermore, the review highlighted how the game manages to combine the characteristics of JRPGs with a French cultural touch, creating something unique. The game's team managed to combine the freedom of Western RPGs with the strong, focused narrative of Japanese RPGs, thus blurring the boundaries between these two styles.
Global and commercial success
In addition to its success in Japan, Clair Obscur was also very well received globally. The game received high scores on Metacritic: 93 on Xbox Series X/S, 92 on PS5, and 90 on PC. Within just 12 days of its release, it had already sold over 2 million copies, becoming one of the most successful foreign RPGs.
This warm reception from both critics and players confirms the positive impact the game has had on the RPG market, demonstrating that it is possible for titles from outside Japan to be successful in the JRPG world.
