As you can see, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is somewhat demanding, especially on the GPU side. Even at 1080p, the game recommends a mid-to-high tier graphics card (an RTX 3060 Ti / RX 6800 XT) to hit smooth framerates. The CPU requirements are a bit more forgiving relative to modern hardware – a 6-core AMD Ryzen 5 1600X from 2017 qualifies as minimum, which suggests the game’s bottleneck is more on graphics than on CPU. Let’s break down why these specs are needed in plain language.
A Dark Fantasy Belle Époque Adventure
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (the name is French for “light-dark,” hinting at its theme of contrasts) is set in a dark fantasy take on the Belle Époque era?. Imagine the elegant Art Nouveau style and optimistic spirit of the late 19th century, but infused with arcane mysteries and looming darkness. The game’s world is one of gaslit streets and gilded halls, where opulence meets the occult – think Victorian-era grandeur tinged with supernatural dread.
At the heart of the story is an expedition of intrepid heroes embarking on Expedition 33. They band together to confront a fearsome threat: the Paintress, an otherworldly artist whose god-like powers allow her to kill anyone of a certain age by drawing them on her giant monolithic canvas?. It’s a chilling and original premise that sets the stakes high. As you explore breathtaking cities and eerie ruins, you’ll uncover lore and secrets behind the Paintress’s curse. The narrative balances whimsy and horror, much like a fairy tale illustrated in both light and shadow – perfectly capturing that clair-obscur contrast.
Gameplay: Classic RPG Meets Quick Reactions
The gameplay of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a role-playing adventure that cleverly mixes classic turn-based combat with real-time elements. In fact, the developers call it a “reactive turn-based RPG,” meaning turn-based battles with quick-time event twists?. You control a party of characters (the diverse protagonists of the story) and take turns issuing commands – but you’ll also need timing and reflexes for certain actions. For example, attacks can be dodged or parried with well-timed button presses?, so staying alert pays off. This hybrid system gives combat a dynamic, engaging feel; it’s strategic but also keeps you on your toes during every enemy encounter.
Outside of combat, expect all the hallmarks of a great RPG adventure. You’ll explore atmospheric environments (from decadent Parisian-style boulevards to nightmarish dreamscapes), solve puzzles, and engage in story-driven quests. Each of the heroes in your party brings unique abilities and perspectives – and part of the fun is leveraging their strengths. Exploration is richly rewarded, with hidden lore items and upgrades tucked away in the corners of this beautifully crafted world. And if you love RPG character progression, don’t worry: you’ll be able to customize abilities, gear up with Belle Époque-styled weapons and gadgets, and develop each character’s skills as the journey progresses.
Voice Cast Brings the World to Life
One of the standout aspects of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is its star-studded voice cast, which truly brings the game’s story and characters to life. The developers have gone the extra mile in casting, even securing talent from film and TV. Charlie Cox (famous for Daredevil) voices the lead character, Gustave?, imbuing the brave explorer with charm and gravitas. He’s joined by Jennifer English as Maelle, Kirsty Rider as Lune, and Shala Nyx as Sciel – each delivering heartfelt performances for these key characters
Perhaps most notably, Andy Serkis lends his voice to a character named Renoir?. Serkis’s involvement adds a cinematic quality – his famously dynamic voice acting (think Gollum, or Caesar from Planet of the Apes) makes the mysterious Renoir especially compelling. Ben Starr (known from Final Fantasy XVI) voices Verso?, adding even more experience to the roster. Rounding out the English voice cast are talents like Rich Keeble as Monoco and Maxence Cazorla as Esquie?, with additional actors contributing to smaller roles. (Fun fact: the game offers dual audio in English and French, so you can even play with the authentic French voice track if you want that extra Belle Époque flavor.)
Critics have praised the voice acting across the board – the chemistry between the cast and the emotional weight they give to the story’s pivotal moments make the narrative all the more engaging. In short, the voice cast elevates the game’s storytelling, pulling you deeper into the world of Clair Obscur as if you were playing through a finely acted period drama.
Critical Reception and Hype
Upon release, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been met with widespread critical acclaim. Review aggregators show the game scoring around 90/100 on PC (Metacritic) and similar on consoles?, indicating that critics universally loved it. In fact, as of April 2025 it’s one of the highest-rated games of the year so far?, with some reviewers calling it an early Game of the Year contender.
So, what aspects are critics raving about? Many applaud the stunning visuals and art direction, noting how the game’s Belle Époque-inspired aesthetic and UE5-powered graphics create an unforgettable atmosphere. The lighting and environmental detail in particular get special mention – every scene looks like a painting, with dramatic contrasts of brightness and shadow (truly living up to the name Clair Obscur). The unique combat system has also been a highlight; reviewers enjoy how the reactive turn-based battles combine tactical depth with the excitement of action games. It’s “a fresh take on RPG traditions” that could “revitalize the genre” according to one Eurogamer preview.
The story and characters haven’t gone unnoticed either. Critics praise the breathtaking world-building and fully fleshed-out characters?, saying the narrative manages to feel both grand and personal. The performance of the voice cast (especially high-profile actors like Serkis and Cox) adds a layer of polish, making the emotional moments land effectively. All these elements come together to deliver an experience that feels surprisingly premium for a 30-person indie team – a feat made possible by the team’s smart use of technology and talent.
It’s worth noting that Clair Obscur was developed using Unreal Engine 5, and the team aimed to achieve AAA-level fidelity despite their smaller size?. This ambition has generally paid off in the final product, although a few PC reviewers have mentioned that the game can be demanding hardware-wise (and occasionally prone to minor stutters in its current version, a common concern with some UE5 titles?). Overall, though, the consensus is that the game is an artistic triumph and well worth experiencing – especially if you have a PC that can do its visuals justice. And that brings us to…
Official PC System Requirements
To enjoy the rich visuals and smooth gameplay of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on PC, you’ll need a system that meets the official minimum or (ideally) recommended requirements. Below are the official PC specs as provided by the developer:
| Requirement |
Minimum |
Recommended |
| OS |
64-bit Windows 10/11 |
64-bit Windows 10/11 |
| Processor |
Intel Core i7-8700K / AMD Ryzen 5 1600X |
Intel Core i7-12700K / AMD Ryzen 7 5800X |
| Memory |
8 GB RAM |
16 GB RAM |
| Graphics Card |
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB / AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT 6 GB / Intel Arc A380 6 GB |
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti 8 GB / AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT 16 GB |
| DirectX |
Version 12 |
Version 12 |
| Storage |
55 GB available space |
55 GB available space |
| Additional Notes |
SSD required. Minimum specs allow for 1080p 30FPS low settings gameplay. |
SSD required. Recommended specs allow for 1080p 60FPS high settings gameplay. |
These specs are pretty par for the course for modern titles and are equivalent to what you’d find in a current-gen console like the Xbox Series S or X. So if your system’s dancing somewhere around that range, you’re in for a smooth ride through Prospero’s haunted bayous.
Upgrading Your PC for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If your current setup can't quite handle the eerie magic of South of Midnight, or you’re itching for better visuals, higher FPS, and smoother resolution, don’t worry—we’ve got the tools to help you weave a more powerful rig.
Operating System: A Modern Foundation
Like any work of modern artistry, Clair Obscur demands a contemporary canvas. You'll need Windows 10 (64-bit) at the very least, though we strongly recommend upgrading to Windows 11—especially since support for Windows 10 is set to fade into the shadows this October. Need a key? We’ve got Home and Pro editions ready to go, no magic scrolls required.
Processor: The Clockwork Heart of Your Machine
To face the Paintress and her world in full, you'll need a processor that can handle the intricacies of spell, steel, and shadow:
But if you're building for both today’s adventure and tomorrow’s legends, we suggest stepping up to:
These newer CPUs will not only handle Clair Obscur effortlessly but also keep you adventuring smoothly into future titles.
Memory (RAM): Room for Your Spells, Maps & More
You’ll need at least 8 GB of RAM to enter Lumière’s world, which is actually quite generous for a game of this calibre—thankfully, it’s not an open-world title. However, for a richer, smoother journey, 16 GB is highly recommended, and we couldn’t agree more.
Having 16–32 GB will ensure your system never lags when magic and mystery unfold all at once.
Graphics Card: The Brush That Paints Your World
Good news! You only need a classic like the NVIDIA GTX 1060 6 GB, AMD RX 5600 XT 6 GB, or Intel Arc A380 6 GB to experience the game at minimum settings. These trusted old guardians have stood the test of time and will still get you through the expedition on low settings.
But for a more vivid and responsive adventure, you’ll want to step up:
- Recommended: NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti (8 GB) or AMD RX 6800 XT (16 GB)
Still, we’d suggest going with a newer model like the RTX 5060 Ti. Why? Because Clair Obscur supports DLSS 4 (which significantly boosts performance and image quality), making NVIDIA GPUs the best choice. While we love AMD’s newer cards, the lack of FSR support in this title means they won’t unlock the same magic here.
If you're ready to see the world in all its glory—1440p high settings and beyond—a RTX 5080 or 5090 will deliver a performance fit for royalty, bringing the Paintress’s hauntingly beautiful canvas to life in glorious 4K Ultra.
Storage: Fast as a Whispered Spell
Like many modern titles, Clair Obscur requires an SSD—no exceptions. If you’re still clinging to a spinning hard drive from a bygone era, it’s time to upgrade.
- Required space: 55 GB
- Recommended upgrade: Crucial P3 1TB NVMe SSD – blazing fast, reliable, and DirectStorage-ready (perfect for other modern games that use it).
- Budget-friendly pick: Crucial BX500 500GB SATA SSD – while not NVMe, it’s a solid step up from HDD and compatible with most builds.
Even though Expedition 33 doesn’t yet support DirectStorage, many future titles will. Investing in NVMe now means your rig is ready when they arrive.
Recommended Gaming PCs for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you’re in the market for a new PC that will guarantee a great experience with this game (and others like it), we have a few recommendations. Each build is designed to meet or exceed the game’s requirements and is balanced for its target resolution. We’ll list key specs and explain why those components are a good fit for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. (Note: These are example specs – you can find pre-built systems with similar hardware from various manufacturers, including CCL’s own gaming PC range.)
Horizon Core i5 RTX 4060 Ti Pre-built Gaming PC
