Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has finally arrived, and I gotta say, it kinda blew everyone’s expectations out of the water. Crazy, right? This French RPG—yeah, the French got in on this one—looks stunning. I mean, the visuals are so good, it makes other games look like they’re still in beta. And the story? Don’t even get me started. It’s as compelling as a thriller novel you found at a second-hand store that turns out to be a hidden gem. The turn-based combat? Ingenious, or maybe confusingly brilliant. Either way, it’s aiming for Game of the Year in 2025, and it just might get it.
And it’s like…this crazy mix of influences. You’d swear it’s channeling some serious JRPG vibes. It’s got bits and pieces from all over, classic games, you know? Think Persona battles with a side of Final Fantasy 13’s linear levels. It’s more punch, less wander. Like, who needs to explore when you can just keep fighting? I swear I picked up some Attack on Titan inspiration there—don’t question it, just go with it. But what really caught me off guard…maybe it’s just me—is how much it borrows from other corners of the gaming world. I swear, there’s this influence no one talks about—it’s like a hidden Easter egg in plain sight.
Uh, what was I saying? Oh yeah! Those soulslike vibes—and no, not in a "it’s trying to be Dark Souls" way. But the similarities? Can’t ignore them. Expedition Flags are dead ringers for Dark Souls’ Bonfires. Need a place to rest or level up? Bam, there you go. Like a warm hug from a game that’s not about to make it easy for you. And the whole "rest and respawn" deal? Man, it grinds my gears and yet, seems ridiculously brilliant. Healing items magically restocking every time you rest? Practical, much?
And let’s talk about how these borrowed mechanics change the entire feel of the game. Traditional turn-based RPGs—usually, you’re rummaging around for healing potions like a scavenger. Here, it’s all about managing what you have when you decide to rest. It’s forgiving yet challenging, like life itself, right? Makes Clair Obscur this weirdly flexible yet unforgiving beast, simplifying things that used to clutter our inventories.
Jumping back, Expedition Flags also standardize checkpoints. Like, yeah, you can restart whatever, but the predictability about where you end up is oddly comforting. It’s gaming with options— who would’ve thought? Resource scarcity is for another day; today’s game is forgiving in all the right places.
The whole soulslike influence—some gamers gripe about it, saying it’s overused. But let’s be real, FromSoftware has shaped the gaming industry landscape like an unexpected earthquake. Mechanics like checkpoints weren’t always standard until they shook up things. Influential stuff, right? We’re so used to these features now that they’re the norm. But peek under the hood of games like Clair Obscur, and you’ll spot those Dark Souls-inspired gears turning silently in the background. It’s like they’ve become the secret sauce of action and adventure games without anyone noticing.
Man, I got lost again. Anyway, Clair Obscur is standing tall, showing off those soulslike features like they’re badges of honor. And if you ask me, it’s proof that FromSoftware’s whispers echo far and wide in ways we often overlook—like a shadow in the gaming night.
