The most important type of flattery I can provide to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 proper now’s how its whole world-building and narrative construction fulfills the dream-like setting I’ve typically fantasized about in fictional media as a child.
The sport has one of the vital gripping prologue sequences that instantly pulls you in tight for the journey forward, and the turn-based fight, though easy at first, turns into so addictive to grasp that you will nonetheless be peeling new layers off until midway by the principle storyline.
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So, suppose you are already brainstorming what recreation to play after taking down the Paintress which has an equal footing or holds a candle to what Sandfall Interactive has created. In that case, this record of the most effective video games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is bound to entice you.
10
NieR: Automata
For the Glory of Mankind
I am keen on Nier: Automata with all my coronary heart, and most significantly, the connection that binds it with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 depends on a few explicit traits—the themes of isolation and a dream-like but ruinous world.
Each video games share a bleak and ominous setting, one by which the titular protagonists are the final remnants of hope, preventing and surviving an impending doom that might wipe out their world’s very existence.
Talking of being the final remnants, each of those video games share one in every of my responsible pleasure emotions, which is uncommon in a number of circumstances, but it surely’s there. The sense of isolation or loneliness, to be precise. Whether or not it is from exploring Clair Obscur’s dreamscape ranges or dashing by the derelict metropolis ruins in Nier: Automata, it is current in each.
A part of what makes that loneliness issue hit so exhausting can also be owed to those two video games’ masterfully composed soundtracks, creating such a euphoric feeling all through. If these are sufficient causes, then I strongly recommend giving Nier: Automata a shot. Simply please attempt to bear with the obscure storytelling and repeated playthrough bits.
9
The Legend of Dragoon
Energetic-Time Dragooning
Within the dialogue of the most effective PS1 JRPGs, you will typically see The Legend of Dragoon come up. Rightfully so, as a result of this recreation actually felt transcendent, particularly if you paired it towards juggernauts like the unique FF7 and even Dragon Quest VII.
In addition to sharing an identical narrative tone and grittiness, the core trait that makes this recreation stand out and near Clair Obscur is the QTE components infused into the fight, which slowly incorporates extra threat and technique, particularly if you think about your Dragoon type assaults.
Though Legend of Dragoon hasn’t aged that properly, you may fortunately play the improved PlayStation 1 port on the PS4/PS5 for 10 bucks. Actually, this can be a strong deal because you’re getting some nice quality-of-life choices like recreation rewind and fast save, which may make the expertise extra accessible in modern-day.
8
Sea of Stars
Impressed By The Classics
Clair Obscur is an RPG that takes a number of components from beloved turn-based classics and places a novel spin on them, and Sea of Stars is in the identical vein. Its central inspirations are juggernauts of the JRPG style like Chrono Set off, from the music all the way in which all the way down to the real-time fight mechanics.
However what actually makes this recreation distinctive is not simply its charming forged of characters or attractive pixel graphics, however its hyperactive turn-based fight, which requires you to press inputs promptly along side your assaults to extend their injury and carry out strings together with your multi-hit assaults.
Moreover, the Throes of the Watchmaker free DLC makes this the proper time to choose up the sport and journey by it, so you may have sufficient time to benefit from the newest DLC amidst the opposite revamped modifications the sport has made all through its beforehand launched updates.
7
Chained Echoes
An Awe-Inspiring One-Man Title
You heard that accurately. Chained Echoes is an indie RPG that is developed by the lonesome efforts of Matthias Linda, who grew up impressed by cult classics within the style like Suikoden, Xenogears, and a famed entry on this record, The Legend of Dragoon.
Clair Obscur’s fight fundamentals give the sport a novel id in comparison with right now’s RPGs. Chained Echoes incorporates an identical stance; its Overdrive and Overheat mechanisms push you to be vigilant throughout every battle, since a easy slip-up can damage the entire movement of the battle.
Though I’ve solely accomplished the sport’s first act, the story can also be a wealthy part from if you’re launched to Glenn and Lenne within the opening segments. Although it takes a backseat to the pacing, which understandably would possibly irk some individuals, no less than the characters are well-written.
General, with such a comfortable but ominous ambiance and an alluring forged of essential characters, it is one other recreation I would advocate should you loved Expedition 33. Simply attempt to forgive a few of its shortcomings, such because the pacing or the (typically) annoying RNG components in fight when the percentages are too stacked towards you.
6
Mario & Luigi: Brothership
Gaming’s Most Beloved Duos
Mario & Luigi: Brothership felt like a rejuvenation within the Nintendo first-party catalog, as a result of it’d been ages since we received a brand-new entry to the Mario and Luigi franchise. And what higher approach to expertise it than on the Nintendo Change?
Each Brothership and Clair Obscur are turn-based RPG titles made with pure adoration and finesse, displayed from their presentation of the gameplay. The latter speaks volumes as a result of the builders of Brothership are none apart from AlphaDream, one of many core groups from the Octopath Traveler titles.
And attributable to their work on this recreation, Brothership’s gameplay feels actually particular as every flip and motion requires your utmost consideration—from correctly timing the duo assaults of the 2 brothers to correctly countering/dodging incoming enemy assaults.
It really works so properly that should you’re coming from Clair Obscur, you will really feel proper at residence. The most effective half is how one can feasibly soar proper into this recreation, since you do not actually want prior information or expertise of the earlier Mario & Luigi collection’ video games.
5
Baldur’s Gate 3
A Ton of Care & A Complete Lotta Ardour
Swen Vincke and his staff at Larian Studios’ immense exhausting work actually paid off in fruitful novelty. Baldur’s Gate 3 was a powerful success, with quite a few GOTY 2023 accolades and an awesome constructive reception from veteran followers and newcomers.
Each Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Baldur’s Gate 3 are prime examples of video video games created with unfiltered ardour and care from their respective builders, and that is simply one of many essential the reason why I made a decision to choose this recreation for the record.
In addition to that, you’ve got received one of the vital strategic and real-time turn-based fight techniques with Baldur’s Gate 3, with every battle offering a special problem and including layers of complexity to handle together with your group of social gathering members.
Oh, and did I point out that Maelle’s voice actor in Clair Obscur (who completely killed her efficiency) can also be the voice actress for Shadowheart in BG3? That, and you’ve got additionally received a few different acquainted faces in each video games, so if this all looks as if good indicators, Baldur’s Gate 3 is bound to hook you in for an eternal journey.
Time Marches On…
Suppose you are already acquainted with the Persona video games from Atlus. In that case, you will most likely have an concept of what I am about to say in excessive reward for Metaphor: ReFantazio, a recreation that was an try to ascertain the Persona gameplay system with a Medieval-Fantasy setting.
And oh man, did that work like a allure. I personally contemplate Metaphor to be Atlus’ crowning IP, one which brilliantly evolves Persona’s Sim gameplay components and reacquaints gamers with a extra adaptive model of Shin Megami Tensei’s ‘Press Flip’ fight design.
Should you beloved the grounded but multi-layered fight design of Clair Obscur, there’s a lot to understand in Metaphor for any newcomer or fan of the turn-based style. It is difficult, however finer particulars like its numerous Archetypes and understanding the Flip icons make it a recipe for achievement.
The pacing might grow to be a slog, particularly in mid-game dungeons just like the Dragon Temple. Nonetheless, the payoff is actually price it, because the whole endgame journey together with your companions is nothing in need of pure whimsy and, at occasions, poignant. It is one which intently jogged my memory of the climactic bits within the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
3
Misplaced Odyssey
Laid The Basis
What transpired from the ex-final fantasy devs at Mistwalker would quickly grow to be a cult-favorite title to comply with, as Misplaced Odyssey is without doubt one of the few notable video games that led to the foundations of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
It is felony that it by no means received a remaster or modernized port, as a result of the sport feels actually particular for its time, from a heart-wrenching story centered on immortality, loss, and hope to one of the vital exceptional gameplay components within the type of the Intention Ring system.
The Intention Ring system introduces a nice depth of tactical problem to battles, from row positioning on the battlefield to managing your flip order primarily based on the social gathering’s stats and, most significantly, holding down your assaults and releasing them on the exact second for optimum injury.
Though sure components have not aged as properly, in hindsight, Misplaced Odyssey paved the way in which for Clair Obscur’s ground-breaking fight fundamentals. So, if you wish to present appreciation, contemplate fancying your self with Misplaced Odyssey sometime, and you may actually perceive how each these video games are comparable in gameplay and tone.
2
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Itchy Ball Kasuga’s Weird Adventures
Studying sure discussions on-line about how Clair Obscur ‘revitalized’ the turn-based style appeared extremely baffling to me, as a result of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (And Metaphor) was proper there in 2024—one in every of my private favourite video games of that yr.
Infinite Wealth doubled down on the turn-based system launched with Yakuza 7, taking issues to the subsequent stage from having the ability to transfer throughout turns, carry out again assaults, ricochet, and ping-pong enemies into one another or the surroundings. RGG actually went the additional mile to make this probably the most inventive and interesting turn-based fight system.
Though each video games’ narrative beats and setting are completely totally different, I implore you to attempt Infinite Wealth should you beloved the hyperactive components in Clair Obscur’s fight. The one hindrance is likely to be that you will have to knock out the earlier Yakuza video games and ultimately attain Infinite Wealth, but it surely’s all price it.
The primary forged of this recreation, from the happy-go-lucky Ichiban to his comrades, is extremely well-written. For individuals who’ve caught with the collection since its roots, bidding farewell to the unique protagonist, Kiryu Kazuma, is rarely a straightforward second to bear on this recreation.
1
Closing Fantasy X
To Zanarkand
An emotionally gripping story that includes characters on a voyage they might by no means return from? Test. A brilliantly designed world the place you discover its totally different sub-regions? Test. A masterful soundtrack and turn-based fight design? Yeah, I wasn’t improper to jokingly admit how a lot Clair Obscur jogged my memory of Closing Fantasy X.
FFX’s CTB (Conditional Flip-Primarily based) battle system calls for technique and planning, and with a ton of freedom and customization supplied by its wealthy Sphere Grid system for expertise, they go hand-in-hand to create probably the most prolific fight techniques within the collection, proper up there with the Gambit system from Closing Fantasy 12.
It is one in every of my all-time favourite video video games and FF titles, and it has captivated me since I first performed it in 2019 throughout my adolescent years. It is so heart-wrenching for me that it is a kind of uncommon items of media that I’ve by no means dared to replay/rewatch, which is a low-key bittersweet feeling.
Clair Obscur’s curtain name segments, whether or not the mind-blowing twists in Acts 1 and a couple of’s endings or the penultimate finale, clearly jogged my memory of the pale scars I as soon as had with FFX and its closing moments involving Tidus and Yuna.
So should you’re within the temper for one more barely miserable but eloquent RPG journey that has made a major influence on audiences to today, then Closing Fantasy X is actually the most effective recreation to play should you beloved Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s grandiose story.
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