Sandfall Interactive’s brand-new action RPG is here, and it’s no surprise that many players have fallen in love with its unique setting and turn-based combat enhanced by real-time mechanics. However, can any other video game offer an equally fun experience?
Clair Obscur Expedition 33 is a one-of-a-kind turn-based shooter hybrid RPG unraveling the tale of an expedition of daredevils who embark on a perilous journey to stop the mysterious Paintress from wiping out an entire generation of 33-year-olds.
Feel like giving it a shot? Then, know that this adventure unfolds within the Belle Epoque-inspired reality overrun by the most bizarre creatures and emotional plot twists. Action, memorable characters, and meaningful moments – that’s what RPG fans love the most! Sadly, there is no game quite like this one, so you may want to consider its alternatives that share some of its gameplay features. That’s where we arrive with a list of the most comparable titles resembling this unique adventure – dig in!
| Game | Release | Genre | Developer | YT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Disco Elysium | 2019-10-15 | RPG | ZA/UM | |
 | The Banner Saga | 2014-01-14 | Indie | Stoic | |
 | Cris Tales | 2021-07-20 | JRPG | SYCK | |
 | Metaphor: ReFantazio | 2024-10-11 | Fantasy | Studio Zero | |
 | OCTOPATH TRAVELER II | 2023-02-24 | jRPG | SQUARE ENIX | |
 | Chained Echoes | 2022-12-08 | jRPG | Ark Heiral | |
 | Child of Light | 2014-04-29 | Arcade & Platform | Ubisoft Montréal | |
 | Transistor | 2014-05-20 | Indie | Supergiant Games | |
 | Persona 5 Royal | 2022-10-21 | Turn-based, Social Simulation | Atlus | |
 | Sea of Stars | 2023-08-29 | Indie | Sabotage |
Disco Elysium
| Release date: | 2019-10-15 |
| Genre: | RPG |
| Developer: | ZA/UM |
Play as an exhausted cop on a quest to sober up and solve a case of mysterious lynching in the seaside city of Revachol. Will this experience help him get his life together?
Both video games offer comparable narrative depth, choice-driven plots, and artistic aesthetics. Unlike Clair Obscur, Disco Elysium involves almost no combat; instead, it features decision-based conflict resolution. It’s also noticeably more philosophical, sarcastic, and dark – perfect if you crave an adventure revolving around existential themes!
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The Banner Saga Trilogy
| Release date: | 2014-01-14 (first game) |
| Genre: | Indie |
| Developer: | Stoic |
This compilation of three role-playing games follows a caravan trying to survive and find a new home in a Norse-inspired world threatened by ultimate doom.
Like Clair Obscur, The Banner Saga Trilogy features stunning visuals, turn-based combat (without the real-time mechanics), a deep narrative where choices matter, and an expedition-based adventure. Since The Banner Saga focuses on strategic gameplay, you may find it the best if you need a more tactical approach.
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Cris Tales
| Release date: | 2021-07-20 |
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| Developer: | SYCK |
Play as young Crisbell to gather a team and embark on an epic journey to save the world and unravel details about the protagonist’s dark past. While this storyline may sound familiar to JRPG fans, it stands out with its incredibly touching atmosphere and unique features!
Artistic visual style, surreal locations, team-based adventure, turn-based combat, and choices that matter – these make Cris Tales strikingly comparable to Clair Obscur. Furthermore, your heroine can control time to reach one of the multiple endings to this captivating story – epic replayability guaranteed!
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Metaphor: ReFantazio
| Release date: | 2024-10-11 |
| Genre: | Action |
| Developer: | Studio Zero |
Embark on a dangerous journey across the fantasy land of Euchronia to decide the entire kingdom’s fate and find a way to awaken your friend, the prince, from the coma.
Since Metaphor: ReFantazio comes from the creators of the phenomenal Persona series (often considered the most similar to Expedition 33), both video games share many comparable features. Here, you can enjoy turn-based combat with real-time action, forge bonds with teammates, make choices, and save a familiar world. Moreover, ReFantazio impresses with its unique setting, creating a one-of-a-kind reality combining steampunk and fantasy.
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Octopath Traveler II
| Release date: | 2023-02-24 |
| Genre: | jRPG |
| Developer: | SQUARE ENIX |
Play as one of eight unique characters to journey across Solistia – a lovely land of two continents divided by the sea.
Like Clair Obscur, Octopath Traveler II lets you control a team of diverse characters using different talents. Combat is turn-based, the story is less linear, and you decide how the adventure unfolds. Make choices, fight, and complete quests to see multiple endings to this storyline!
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Chained Echoes
| Release date: | 2022-12-08 |
| Genre: | RPG |
| Developer: | Ark Heiral |
Embark on an adventure across the war-torn land of Valandis to restore it to its former glory and reunite three warring kingdoms.
This 16-bit SNES-style RPG lets you gather a party and embark on an epic journey across a vibrant land where all enemies roam the world in plain sight. Chat with NPCs, complete quests, fight in turn-based combat, and travel by mech or airship. It’s an ideal Expedition 33 alternative, especially if you seek something charming!
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Child of Light
| Release date: | 2014-04-29 |
| Genre: | Arcade & Platform |
| Developer: | Ubisoft Montréal |
Play as Aurora – a young girl traveling from 1895 Austria to the fairytale land of Lemuria. Will she ever be able to return home?
What both video games have in common is the unique (often disturbing) atmosphere and the mysterious destination that shapes the protagonist’s destiny. Gather your team, defeat the Queen of the Night, save Lemuria, and fight in epic, turn-based confrontations. Sounds familiar? Of course – it’s our most poetic pick for fans of Expedition 33!
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Transistor
| Release date: | 2014-05-20 |
| Genre: | Indie |
| Developer: | Supergiant Games |
Step into the streets of a futuristic city to discover the origins of a mysterious weapon and defend yourself from the hostile forces following your trail. It’s like Expedition 33, but sci-fi!
Use the powerful Transistor to discover its purpose and defend yourself from the dark forces. Fight in turn-based battles, confront omnipresent waves of enemies, develop your heroine’s combat potential, and meet fascinating NPCs. This game is brimming with surprising plot twists and action, making it a must-play for those seeking a more dynamic Clair Obscur alternative!
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Persona 5 Royal
| Release date: | 2022-10-21 |
| Genre: | Action |
| Developer: | Atlus |
Play as a young protagonist starting an education at a new school in Tokyo. With the help of his newfound friends, he unravels the sinister secrets of an alternative reality as the Phantom Thief.
Since both video games are known for their surprising similarities, you can expect an equally engaging experience playing Persona 5 Royal. Discover the details of the characters’ relationships, explore Tokyo, unlock powerful Personas, and see the world for what it really is. Also, get ready for some life-changing plot twists!
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Sea of Stars
| Release date: | 2023-08-29 |
| Genre: | RPG |
| Developer: | Sabotage |
Our last recommendation lets you play as the Solstice Warriors – the only heroes capable of stopping the evil Fleshmancer and his army of bloodthirsty monsters!
Fight in turn-based battles, learn to use each hero’s unique powers, create spectacular combos, and explore a breathtaking world. Although the game shares many features with Clair Obscur, it strongly focuses on presenting classic, old-school role-playing mechanics in a modern version, and it does that very well!
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As you may have noticed, none of our recommendations are identical to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Nevertheless, many share its gameplay features, atmosphere, combat mechanics, character relationships, and visual aesthetics. Ultimately, all these video games are similar and unique in their own way. Now it’s your turn – which one will you play first?