Released on April 24th, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 quickly stood out, especially in Japan, where it received acclaim for its quality and for capturing the essence of JRPGs. Developed by the French studio Sandfall Interactive, the game surprised by winning over Japanese critics, despite not being of Japanese origin.
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The prestigious Famitsu magazine rated the title 36/40, with all four critics giving it a 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 the most was the combination of classic JRPG elements with the unique identity of the French team. The soundtrack and visual presentation were the first aspects praised, followed by the engaging narrative, which manages to keep the player hooked from beginning to end.
The map design was also considered a great success, being described as "miraculous." Critics highlighted that, even with the map's complexity, players don't get lost during exploration, which is a major advantage for an open-world game.
Another important point was the difficulty system, which pleased both newcomers and more experienced players. This made the game accessible to different types of audiences, allowing more people to enjoy the experience without feeling frustrated.
A comparison with big names in the genre
Famitsu didn't hesitate to compare Clair Obscur to giants of the genre, such as Final Fantasy VI and Final Fantasy XVI. The game was highlighted for connecting with the legacy of classic JRPGs, maintaining the essence that attracted generations of fans. Thus, this recommendation reinforces how well Clair Obscur fits into the tradition of great titles in the history of the genre, even coming from a French studio.
Although the game received an excellent score, it didn't reach Famitsu's maximum 40/40 score, something reserved only for the greatest games. Even so, the score achieved is already a great feat for a title from outside Japan. The British magazine Edge also didn't give Clair Obscur a 10, as it did with legendary titles, but this doesn't diminish the impact the game had on specialized 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 succeeded in combining the freedom of Western RPGs with the strong, focused narrative of Japanese RPGs, thus transcending 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 achieved high scores on Metacritic: 93 on Xbox Series X/S, 92 on PS5, and 90 on PC. In just 12 days after its release, it had already sold over 2 million copies, making it 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, showing that it is possible for titles from outside Japan to succeed in the world of JRPGs.