Expedition 33 on Yandex: Save 20% on Clair Obscur

In 2025, the gaming world witnessed a phenomenon: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Developed by the boutique French studio Sandfall Interactive, this title rapidly ascended from a passion project to a genre-defining blockbuster, sweeping the Game Awards with nine wins, including the coveted Game of the Year. Now, with a 20% discount available on Yandex there has never been a better time to experience this critically acclaimed adventure2.

Set in a hauntingly beautiful world inspired by Belle Époque France, Expedition 33 melds the strategic depth of turn-based RPGs with the immediacy of real-time action mechanics. Its narrative, cast, and innovative gameplay have captivated millions, earning universal acclaim from critics and players alike. This article serves as your comprehensive guide to Expedition 33, answering the most common questions, exploring its unique features, and showing you how to secure the best deal on Yandex.

Game Setting: Belle Époque France Reimagined

A World Painted in Light and Shadow

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set in Lumière, a surreal, dreamlike city modeled after Paris during the Belle Époque (circa 1871–1914). The game’s art direction draws heavily from Art Nouveau and Neoclassical architecture, with iconic landmarks like a warped Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe anchoring its alternate reality5. This setting is not mere window dressing; it’s central to the game’s themes of nostalgia, loss, and the search for hope amid despair.

The Belle Époque, or “the beautiful age,” was a period of optimism, progress, and cultural flourishing in France. Expedition 33 juxtaposes this historical optimism with a world teetering on the brink of extinction, where the annual Gommage ritual erases citizens by age, and hope is a precious, dwindling resource6. The game’s visual style—lush, painterly, and often tinged with melancholy—serves as both homage and critique of the era’s mythic status.

Thematic Depth and Narrative Resonance

The Belle Époque aesthetic is more than a backdrop; it’s a narrative device. As the expedition ventures further from Lumière, the trappings of civilization fall away, replaced by apocalyptic landscapes and the ruins of past expeditions. This loss of beauty and order mirrors the characters’ internal struggles and the world’s descent into chaos. The game’s story, inspired by personal loss and the creative process, explores how societies and individuals cope with grief, memory, and the temptation to retreat into comforting illusions7.

Gameplay Mechanics: Hybrid Turn-Based and Real-Time Combat

The Evolution of Turn-Based RPGs

Expedition 33 stands at the forefront of a new wave of RPGs that blend classic turn-based strategy with real-time action. Drawing inspiration from genre titans like Persona, Final Fantasy, and Super Mario RPG, the game introduces a combat system that is both cerebral and kinetic9.

• Turn-Based Core: Players control a party of Expeditioners, each with unique abilities and skill trees. On their turn, they can attack, use skills, consume items, or employ a free-aim system to target enemy weak points.
• Real-Time Elements: During both player and enemy turns, real-time mechanics come into play. Attacks can be enhanced with timed button presses (QTEs), while defense requires active dodging or parrying. Successful parries not only mitigate damage but also generate Ability Points (AP) and open opportunities for devastating counterattacks9.
• Gradient Attacks and Counters: As the party builds up a shared gauge, they unlock powerful Gradient Attacks and Counters, adding another layer of strategy and spectacle to battles.

Strategic Depth and Accessibility

Expedition 33’s combat rewards both planning and reflexes. Players must manage resources, exploit elemental weaknesses, and adapt to enemy patterns. The inclusion of real-time defense keeps players engaged, transforming what could be a passive experience into a dynamic, “lean-forward” challenge.

Notably, the game offers multiple difficulty options and accessibility features, ensuring that both genre veterans and newcomers can enjoy its systems.

Exploration and World Design

Beyond combat, Expedition 33 features a semi-open world with interconnected levels, side quests, hidden bosses, and collectibles. The overworld map, traversed with the help of mythical companions, evokes the classic JRPG sense of adventure while embracing modern design sensibilities6.

Expedition 33 Story: A Tale of Grief, Hope, and Identity

The Premise: Breaking the Cycle of Death

Every year, the Paintress awakens and paints a descending number on the Monolith. All citizens of Lumière whose age matches that number are instantly erased—a phenomenon known as the Gommage. As the number ticks down, humanity faces inevitable extinction. Expedition 33 is the latest—and possibly final—group of volunteers tasked with ending the Paintress’s deadly cycle5.

Main Characters and Their Journeys

• Gustave (voiced by Charlie Cox): A resourceful engineer and the expedition’s leader, haunted by personal loss and driven by a desire to save Lumière’s future.
• Maelle (Jennifer English): Gustave’s foster sister, the youngest member of the team, seeking belonging and purpose.
• Lune (Kirsty Rider): A brilliant scholar and mage, obsessed with unraveling the mystery of the Paintress and her own family’s fate.
• Sciel (Shala Nyx): A cheerful warrior masking deep scars, embodying resilience and acceptance.
• Verso (Ben Starr): A mysterious, immortal survivor of the first expedition, whose true identity and motives are gradually revealed.
• Renoir (Andy Serkis): The enigmatic antagonist, whose actions are rooted in grief and a complex family history5.

Narrative Structure and Themes

The story unfolds across three acts, blending personal drama with metaphysical mystery. Players uncover the fates of past expeditions, confront the truth behind the Gommage, and ultimately face a choice that determines the world’s fate. The narrative explores themes of grief, memory, the cost of creation, and the tension between accepting loss and clinging to illusion11.

The game’s branching endings invite players to reflect on the nature of reality, the value of hope, and the meaning of closure. Whether choosing to preserve the painted world or let it go, Expedition 33’s story resonates as a meditation on the human condition.

Platform Availability and Release Date

Expedition 33 is available on all major current-generation platforms:

*Prices and discounts current as of December 12, 2025. Yandex and select retailers are offering 20% off for a limited time23.

Platform-Specific Features

• PS5: Enhanced visuals, haptic feedback, and adaptive triggers. PS5 Pro support for higher frame rates and ray tracing.
• Xbox Series X|S: Optimized for Series X|S, supports Xbox Play Anywhere, and available on Game Pass Ultimate from day one.
• PC: Full controller support, advanced graphics options (DLSS, FSR, ray tracing), and verified Steam Deck compatibility. Also available on GeForce NOW for cloud streaming.

Expedition 33 Price: Editions, Discounts, and Where to Buy

Standard and Deluxe Editions

Expedition 33 is available in several editions:

• Standard Edition: Base game.
• Deluxe Edition: Includes the base game, “Flowers” Collection (six outfits and hairstyles), and exclusive “Clair” and “Obscur” outfits for Maelle and Gustave.
• Collector’s Edition: Physical extras such as a steelbook, artbook, and hand-painted Monolith collectible (availability may vary by region)5.

Current Pricing and Discounts

• Yandex: 20% off ($39.99, down from $49.99) for a limited time on all platforms.
• Steam/PlayStation/Xbox Stores: Matching 20% discount during the promotional period.
• Third-Party Retailers: Prices may vary, with some keyshops offering even steeper discounts for PC keys (as low as $25.65).

Price History and Value

Expedition 33’s price has fluctuated since launch, with the current 20% discount matching its Black Friday low. Given its critical acclaim and recent content updates, this represents exceptional value for new players3.

Platform Availability and Pricing Comparison

*Note: Subscription services (Game Pass, PS Plus) may offer additional discounts or access. Always verify regional pricing and availability15.

PC System Requirements and Handheld Support

Minimum and Recommended Specs

SettingMinimumRecommendedOSWindows 10 (64-bit)Windows 11 (64-bit)CPUIntel Core i7-8700K / Ryzen 5 1600XIntel Core i7-12700K / Ryzen 7 5800XRAM8 GB16 GBGPUGTX 1060 6GB / RX 5600 XT 6GBRTX 3060 Ti 8GB / RX 6800 XT 16GBStorage55 GB SSD55 GB SSDDirectX1212

• Performance: Minimum specs target 1080p/30fps on low settings; recommended specs target 1080p/60fps on high settings.
• Ray Tracing: Supported on compatible GPUs.
• Steam Deck/ROG Ally: Fully certified and optimized as of Patch 1.5.0, with improved text legibility, controller support, and performance fixes.

Cloud and Handheld Play

• Steam Deck: Playable with minor adjustments; recent patches have improved performance and UI scaling.
• GeForce NOW: Stream Expedition 33 on PC, Mac, and mobile devices.
• Xbox Cloud Gaming: Available for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers.

DLC and Post-Launch Content

Free DLC: Patch 1.5.0 “Thank You” Update

Released on December 12, 2025, the Patch 1.5.0 “Thank You” Update is a substantial free DLC that expands the game’s content and features:

• New Location: Verso’s Drafts, a late-game area with unique enemies and secrets.
• Endless Tower: Challenge mode with new boss variations.
• New Weapons and Costumes: Including themed outfits and a candy-blade for Sciel.
• New Pictos and Luminas: Expanded build options and loadout management (up to 50 sets per character).
• Photo Mode: Capture and share in-game moments.
• Quality of Life Improvements: Abandon battle option, improved settings/UI, controller remapping, and enhanced handheld support.
• Bug Fixes and Performance Enhancements: Especially for Steam Deck and ROG Ally users1719.

Paid DLC and Editions

• Deluxe Edition Upgrade: Additional outfits and digital extras.
• Original Soundtrack: Available for purchase, featuring the award-winning score.

Cast and Voice Actors: Bringing Expedition 33 to Life

Expedition 33 boasts a star-studded voice cast, with performances that have been widely praised for their emotional depth and authenticity:

Additional supporting roles are filled by a talented ensemble, including Billie Fulford-Brown, Tarrick Benham, and others5.

The cast’s performances have been recognized with multiple award nominations and wins, notably Jennifer English’s Best Performance win at The Game Awards 2025 for her portrayal of Maelle.

Characters and Story Summary

Main Party Members

• Gustave: The expedition’s pragmatic leader, grappling with loss and the burden of responsibility.
• Maelle: A young, idealistic fencer seeking her place in the world.
• Lune: A driven mage and scholar, haunted by her parents’ fate.
• Sciel: A warrior with a tragic past, embodying both joy and sorrow.
• Verso: The enigmatic survivor of Expedition Zero, whose true identity is central to the game’s mysteries.
• Renoir: The complex antagonist, whose actions are rooted in love, grief, and a desire to end the cycle of suffering.
• Monoco and Esquie: Mythical companions with unique abilities and narrative significance5.

Story Overview

Expedition 33’s narrative is a tapestry of personal and cosmic stakes. The party’s journey to confront the Paintress is fraught with loss, betrayal, and revelation. As they uncover the truth behind the Gommage and the nature of their world—a painted reality born of grief—they must choose between preserving an illusion or embracing painful closure. The game’s dual endings reflect this thematic tension, offering players a meaningful choice that resonates beyond the screen11.

Romance Options and Relationship Mechanics

Is There Romance in Expedition 33?

Yes, Expedition 33 features two romance options for the protagonist Verso: Lune and Sciel. These relationships are woven into the narrative and character development, offering additional dialogue, side quests, and unique “Gradient Attacks” in combat.

How Romance Works

• Lune: To romance Lune, players must reach Relationship Level 6 and complete her side quest involving her parents’ journal. Choices made during key interactions determine whether the romance path is unlocked.
• Sciel: Sciel’s romance becomes available earlier, at Relationship Level 4. Accepting her invitation to spend time together initiates the romance, but progressing too far may lock out Lune’s route.
• Mutual Exclusivity: Pursuing one romance can lock out the other, though it is possible to experience partial progression with both in a single playthrough. There are no gameplay advantages to romance beyond new dialogue and deeper character insight.

Impact on Gameplay

• Gradient Attacks: Advancing relationships unlocks powerful combo attacks in battle.
• Narrative Depth: Romance options enrich the story but do not alter the main plot or endings.
• Replay Value: Players can explore different relationship outcomes in New Game Plus.

Critical Reception and Metacritic Scores

Universal Acclaim

Expedition 33 has been hailed as one of the highest-rated games of 2025, achieving:

• Metacritic: 92 (PS5), 91 (PC/Xbox), with a user score of 9.7/10 based on over 22,000 ratings5.
• OpenCritic: 92 Top Critic Average, 97% recommendation rate.
• Steam: Overwhelmingly Positive (97% positive from 143,000+ reviews).

Review Highlights

• The Times: “An RPG on rocket skates. It takes big swings and lands all of them with a satisfying smack.”
• IGN Spain: “Destined to mark an entire generation of players, as well as revolutionize turn-based combat.”
• PSX Extreme: “A marvel of a video game. A game-changing, genre-bending masterpiece.”
• JeuxActu: “A strong, atypical aesthetic framework, almost disturbing in its tormented beauty… a surprisingly dense, rich and, above all, dynamic combat system.”
• Famitsu: 36/40, with praise for its story, combat, and art direction.

Player Feedback

Players consistently praise the game’s narrative, character development, combat innovation, and soundtrack. Some criticisms include the linearity of exploration and occasional pacing issues, but these are minor compared to the game’s overall impact.

Awards and Industry Recognition: Game Awards 2025

Expedition 33’s critical and commercial success culminated in a historic sweep at the Game Awards 2025:

• Game of the Year
• Best Game Direction
• Best Narrative
• Best Art Direction
• Best Score and Music
• Best Performance (Jennifer English as Maelle)
• Best RPG
• Best Independent Game
• Best Debut Indie Game

The game set a record with 12 nominations and 9 wins, surpassing previous benchmarks for both indie and AAA titles. Its achievements were celebrated by industry leaders, including praise from Hideo Kojima, Neil Druckmann, and French President Emmanuel Macron, who called it “a shining example of French audacity”5.

Trailers and Video Assets

Expedition 33’s marketing campaign featured several high-impact trailers:

• Cinematic Launch Trailer: Showcasing the game’s world, characters, and narrative stakes.
• Gameplay Trailers: Demonstrating hybrid combat, exploration, and party interactions.
• Thank You Update Trailer: Highlighting new content from the Patch 1.5.0 DLC19.

These trailers are available on the official PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam pages, as well as YouTube.

Community and Player Metrics

Sales and Player Base

• Launch Sales: 500,000 copies in 24 hours; 1 million in 3 days; 2 million in 12 days; 3.3 million in 33 days; over 5 million by October 202525.
• Concurrent Players: Peaked at over 120,000 on Steam during launch weekend.
• Game Pass Impact: Day-one availability on Xbox and PC Game Pass contributed to rapid adoption and community growth.

Community Engagement

• Steam and Reddit: Active discussion forums, modding community, and fan art.
• Twitch and YouTube: Regular live streams, speedruns, and lore analysis videos.
• Social Media: Developers maintain an open dialogue with fans, sharing updates, responding to feedback, and celebrating milestones.

FAQ: People Also Ask

What is the Expedition 33 story?

Expedition 33 follows a group of volunteers from the city of Lumière as they embark on a desperate mission to end the annual Gommage—a ritual in which the Paintress erases citizens by age. The narrative explores themes of grief, memory, and the struggle to accept loss, culminating in a choice that determines the fate of their world. The story is deeply personal, inspired by the developers’ own experiences with loss and creativity, and unfolds across a richly detailed, Belle Époque-inspired setting7.

Is Expedition 33 coming to PC?

Yes, Expedition 33 is available on PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and Microsoft Store. It is fully compatible with Windows 10/11 and supports advanced graphics features, controller input, and cloud saves. The game is also verified for Steam Deck and ROG Ally handhelds, with recent patches improving performance and usability.

Is there romance in Expedition 33?

Yes, players can pursue romance options with two party members: Lune and Sciel. These relationships are optional and do not affect the main story or endings but provide additional dialogue, side quests, and unique combat abilities. Romance progression is based on relationship levels and specific choices during key interactions.

What platforms is Expedition 33 available on?

Expedition 33 is available on PlayStation 5 (including PS5 Pro enhancements), Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam, Epic, Microsoft Store). It is also included in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass from day one5.

What is the Expedition 33 price and where can I get the best deal?

The standard edition is priced at $49.99, with a 20% discount ($39.99) currently available on Yandex and select retailers. PC keyshops may offer even lower prices, but always verify region compatibility. The Deluxe Edition and Collector’s Edition include additional digital and physical extras13.

What are the PC system requirements?

Minimum: Windows 10, Intel Core i7-8700K / Ryzen 5 1600X, 8 GB RAM, GTX 1060 6GB / RX 5600 XT 6GB, 55 GB SSD. Recommended: Windows 11, Intel Core i7-12700K / Ryzen 7 5800X, 16 GB RAM, RTX 3060 Ti 8GB / RX 6800 XT 16GB, 55 GB SSD. The game is optimized for Steam Deck and ROG Ally handhelds.

Does Expedition 33 have DLC or post-launch content?

Yes, the free Patch 1.5.0 “Thank You” Update adds a new area, bosses, weapons, costumes, and quality-of-life improvements. Paid DLC includes the Deluxe Edition Upgrade and the original soundtrack17.

Who are the main cast and voice actors?

The main cast includes Charlie Cox (Gustave), Jennifer English (Maelle), Kirsty Rider (Lune), Shala Nyx (Sciel), Andy Serkis (Renoir), Ben Starr (Verso), and others. The cast’s performances have been widely praised and recognized with industry awards5.

What is the Expedition 33 Metacritic score?

Expedition 33 holds a Metacritic score of 92 (PS5), 91 (PC/Xbox), and a user score of 9.7/10, making it one of the highest-rated games of 20255.

Has Expedition 33 won any game awards?

Yes, Expedition 33 won nine awards at The Game Awards 2025, including Game of the Year, Best Narrative, Best Art Direction, Best Score and Music, Best Performance, Best RPG, Best Independent Game, and Best Debut Indie Game5.

Expedition 33 Features and Gameplay Highlights

• Hybrid Combat: Turn-based strategy fused with real-time dodging, parrying, and QTEs.
• Deep Customization: Unique skill trees, weapons, and “Pictos” for each character.
• Relationship System: Build bonds, unlock combo attacks, and pursue romance.
• Semi-Open World: Explore interconnected levels, side quests, and hidden bosses.
• Stunning Visuals: Unreal Engine 5-powered graphics, Belle Époque-inspired art direction.
• Award-Winning Soundtrack: Orchestral score by Lorien Testard and Alice Duport-Percier.
• Accessibility: Multiple difficulty options, Steam Deck/ROG Ally support, and cloud saves.
• Post-Launch Support: Free DLC, regular patches, and active community engagement.

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Conclusion: Why Expedition 33 Is 2025’s Must-Play RPG

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is more than a game—it’s a work of art, a meditation on grief and hope, and a testament to the power of creative vision. Its blend of innovative gameplay, emotional storytelling, and breathtaking visuals has set a new standard for the genre. With universal acclaim, record-breaking awards, and a thriving community, Expedition 33 is a journey you won’t want to miss.

Take advantage of the 20% discount on Yandex today and discover why Expedition 33 is the game everyone is talking about. Your adventure awaits.