JAKAS Plays: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 *progressive spoilers*

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Current Events » JAKAS Plays: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 *progressive spoilers*
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy
06/15/2025
11:37 PM
#1
Greetings and Salutations CE!

I waited so long for a physical copy, which I finally got, so now I can get to playing Clair Obscur! I know nothing about the game really besides how well it has reviewed and the fact that it has a combat system that seems to be kinda like a Legend of Dragoon and Mario RPG blend. I've also heard it is NOT easy, so that is good.

We start off with Gustave tossing rocks at like... I dunno, a big tower-like structure with the number 34 on it? Seems an old flame of sorts is in town, Sophie, and I have a rose to give her. Maelle jokes with Gustave about giving the rose to Sophie at the "right time" before it wilts, to which Gustave asks if she means the rose, or the feelings. Seems that both Gustave and Maelle are going to go on the next titular "Expedition", and while Gustave feels ready for it, Maelle is like, "That's what everyone else thought too and they're all dead", which Gustave is not exactly pleased about.

PREDICTION: Since it's Expedition 33 and we saw a big 34 on that uh... structure? I'm assuming that it's counting down and this means there were 34 attempts left, and now it we will be on the 33rd attempt left? It's counting down each failed Expedition? It seems pretty... alien? Alien or magical, not really sure which this early in. It's just the prologue though.
Lindsay - Jan 13, 1990 - July 17, 2023
Thank you for fighting the fight for so long for me.
Xerun
06/15/2025
11:40 PM
#2
Dont read this until after the Expedition leaves

but I like the idea of having 33 attempts left. Specifically expedition 1 to 8
Currently Playing: Clair Obscur
Tyranthraxus
06/15/2025
11:44 PM
#3
Xerun posted...
Dont read this until after the Expedition leaves

but I like the idea of having 33 attempts left. Specifically expedition 1 to 8

If this was an anime of some kind Expedition 14 would be the most overpowered shit ever.
It says right here in Matthew 16:4 "Jesus doth not need a giant Mecha."
https://i.imgur.com/dQgC4kv.jpg
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy
06/15/2025
11:54 PM
#4
Hmmm...

So seems that Sophie and Gustave broke up because Gustave is looking to "change the world" and Sophie, I'm assuming, needed someone who was going to be present in the relationship. Different needs from a relationship at the time. No lack of love and caring there, just knowing that what each of them see for the future is not compatible. Very mature. I like it.

Sophie is 33 and sounds like she is going to her death and is quite calm about it? Gustave mentioned something about "stopping her", so some bitch seemingly is like, killing people or forcing them to leave when they are turning 34? So the number could have to do with age, not attempts.

EDIT - Cyril mentioned "The Paintress claiming the beauty of the world", so she is our villain? Bitch. Imma kill her.
Lindsay - Jan 13, 1990 - July 17, 2023
Thank you for fighting the fight for so long for me.
Ivynn
06/15/2025
11:55 PM
#5
You're not gonna get what's going on in the prologue, best to just experience it instead of predicting anything lol
http://i.imgur.com/vDci4hD.gif
Tyranthraxus
06/15/2025
11:56 PM
#6
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy posted...
So seems that Sophie and Gustave broke up because Gustave is looking to "change the world" and Sophie, I'm assuming, needed someone who was going to be present in the relationship. Different needs from a relationship at the time. No lack of love and caring there, just knowing that what each of them see for the future is not compatible. Very mature. I like it.

No not exactly. There's a few NPCs in Lumiere you can talk to in order to spell it out explicitly but if you've already left:

Sophie didn't want to have kids and Gustave did and that's why they broke up. Gustave eventually caved and adopted Maelle with his sister but by then they had already split up.
It says right here in Matthew 16:4 "Jesus doth not need a giant Mecha."
https://i.imgur.com/dQgC4kv.jpg
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy
06/16/2025
12:06 AM
#7
Seems that when you are 33, you can either:

Live your final year of your life knowing you are "gone" at 34, or choose to go on an Expedition. Not sure if the Expedition is to try and stop this whole process, or if it like, extends your life if you survive or ANYTHING like that... but Sophie picked to live her last year and seems like Gustave will choose to fight.
Lindsay - Jan 13, 1990 - July 17, 2023
Thank you for fighting the fight for so long for me.
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy
06/16/2025
12:23 AM
#8
The Paintress Awakens, and the Grommage Starts

... well... for someone whose wife passed away before she turned 34, that was certainly something. I've wiped away the tears though and time to grieve with the other members of Expedition 33? XD
Lindsay - Jan 13, 1990 - July 17, 2023
Thank you for fighting the fight for so long for me.
Touch
06/16/2025
12:39 AM
#9
Hope you enjoy it Jeff.
You've buttered your last biscuit, pardner.
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy
06/16/2025
12:42 AM
#10
So more context and world building!

There was a "Fracture" in the world 67 years ago. Seems that cities potentially just were teleported to different parts of the world at the time? We got lucky (in a way) that we were teleported into the middle of the Ocean. Humanity here was able to create Shield Dome's to protect the city from "Nevrons" (gonna assume some fucking badass monsters) from attacking. Every year the Monolith DOES count down, so 100-67=33. From the records here, Expedition Zero (which should be called Expedition 100?) was the only one to make any major known headway on the Main Continent, have survivors, and have made it TO the Monolith. All the others have been failures.
Lindsay - Jan 13, 1990 - July 17, 2023
Thank you for fighting the fight for so long for me.
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy
06/16/2025
12:58 AM
#11
Maelle is only like 20 or something and she is choosing to go on an Expedition. Jesus. Alright then.

Emma, Gustave's sister, shows up and is NOT happy that Gustave is choosing to go. She finds the whole idea of the Expedition to be a good thing for morale but nothing more. A foolish thing to do and she feels Gustave is "no fool". Emma is going to give her speech and then we will be departing for the mainland.

Uhhhh... WTF JUST HAPPENED??! We arrive on the mainland, some old man shows up, fucking decapitates one of our Expedition members, and we get routed something fierce! Monsters that look like giant hands with lights in them also attack us and seem to teleport Gustave away somewhere else? The fuck?!

ACT I
Lindsay - Jan 13, 1990 - July 17, 2023
Thank you for fighting the fight for so long for me.
evilpresident
06/16/2025
01:00 AM
#12
grabs popcorn

Hope you enjoy the game, it's my GotY and it found its way into my top 10 games ever.
Corruption that you can believe in.
(She/her)
Tyranthraxus
06/16/2025
01:02 AM
#13
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy posted...
Maelle is only like 20 or something

She's 16.
It says right here in Matthew 16:4 "Jesus doth not need a giant Mecha."
https://i.imgur.com/dQgC4kv.jpg
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy
06/16/2025
01:03 AM
#14
Tyranthraxus posted...
She's 16.

9 years left... each year counting down and her going up. Too late for me to try to math, but that makes sense.
Lindsay - Jan 13, 1990 - July 17, 2023
Thank you for fighting the fight for so long for me.
DodogamaRayBrst
06/16/2025
01:09 AM
#15
*Pokes thread*

Let me in! This looks good!
boxoto
06/16/2025
01:26 AM
#16
tag
Don't you agree, Zach?
https://streamable.com/ueacaz
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy
06/16/2025
01:27 AM
#17
Ran across what appears to be an absolute graveyard of previous Expedition people. They're all turned to stone and have been hit with giant spears? Can't tell what years they are from since their uniforms don't have numbers on that area, at least as far as I can tell. Not sure if this was all from ONE battle, or if this is remnants from dozens of Expeditions. Either way, no good.

There is one fresh person however, from Expedition 33, dead. Gustave sits beside them and contemplates simply ending it here with his own pistol... but LUCIEN sits beside him. "You do that and we both die". Lune is still ready for the fight even if Gustave is shaken. A Nevron comes out from the darkness and moves in on them. They respond.
Lindsay - Jan 13, 1990 - July 17, 2023
Thank you for fighting the fight for so long for me.
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy
06/16/2025
01:39 AM
#18
Made it to the first bonfi... I mean, Expedition Flag. LOL. Alright, seems like this has some FF10, FF9, and Mario RPG vibes to it a lot. I have dodger on Gustave to learn that ability, then I will switch it over to Lune. Attributes are interesting, I can basically turn characters towards any archetype I want.

I mean, seems like moving into Crit is good for Gustave as that will proc his Overload or whatever more. Lune? Seems she is using a lot of Magic type stuff, so maybe just pumping into Might for now to boost attack power?
Lindsay - Jan 13, 1990 - July 17, 2023
Thank you for fighting the fight for so long for me.
ssb_yunglink2
06/16/2025
01:42 AM
#19
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy posted...
Made it to the first bonfi... I mean, Expedition Flag. LOL. Alright, seems like this has some FF10, FF9, and Mario RPG vibes to it a lot. I have dodger on Gustave to learn that ability, then I will switch it over to Lune. Attributes are interesting, I can basically turn characters towards any archetype I want.

I mean, seems like moving into Crit is good for Gustave as that will proc his Overload or whatever more. Lune? Seems she is using a lot of Magic type stuff, so maybe just pumping into Might for now to boost attack power?
When you learn a pictos it can be equipped on any team member, so you dont need to worry about it learning it for each individual member
Hee Ho
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy
06/16/2025
01:44 AM
#20
ssb_yunglink2 posted...
When you learn a pictos it can be equipped on any team member, so you dont need to worry about it learning it for each individual member

Ohhh, OK, cool!

I figured it was like FF9 where each individual party member would have to learn it. Neat!
Lindsay - Jan 13, 1990 - July 17, 2023
Thank you for fighting the fight for so long for me.
ssb_yunglink2
06/16/2025
01:45 AM
#21
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy posted...
Ohhh, OK, cool!

I figured it was like FF9 where each individual party member would have to learn it. Neat!
A lot of people get confused on this, but learned pictos are what your lumina points are for. They let you keep a pictos effect without needing to have it in one of the 3 slots

so you can make some varied builds as long as youve got enough lumina points. Pictos themselves have stat boosts when you have them equipped though, so keep an eye on which has the stats youd like to keep
Hee Ho
DodogamaRayBrst
06/16/2025
01:46 AM
#22
All your potions refresh at the flags, not just your out of battle heal. I don't think the game says that outright so I was a big dum dum and didn't realize and was way too conservative on using them.
Xerun
06/16/2025
01:50 AM
#23
ssb_yunglink2 posted...
A lot of people get confused on this, but learned pictos are what your lumina points are for. They let you keep a pictos effect without needing to have it in one of the 3 slots

so you can make some varied builds as long as youve got enough lumina points

It did take me 3 dungeons to realise that I could equip lumina abilities id learnt

Currently Playing: Clair Obscur
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy
06/16/2025
06:52 PM
#24
Is it worth it to grind? Or do enemies just kinda level up with you? I definitely killed that first enemy past the first flag, went back to the flag, 4 times to learn the Dodger Picto. XD
Lindsay - Jan 13, 1990 - July 17, 2023
Thank you for fighting the fight for so long for me.
MNThunder
06/16/2025
07:01 PM
#25
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy posted...
Is it worth it to grind? Or do enemies just kinda level up with you? I definitely killed that first enemy past the first flag, went back to the flag, 4 times to learn the Dodger Picto. XD

It's worth it. Enemies have locked levels so if you are struggling with one grinding will make it easier.
DeathVelvien
06/16/2025
09:22 PM
#26
*grabs popcorn*

Enjoy the ride.
UNI2: Phonon | GBVSR: Zeta/Nier
Arizona Diamondbacks: 31-31
Tyranthraxus
06/16/2025
09:24 PM
#27
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy posted...
Is it worth it to grind? Or do enemies just kinda level up with you? I definitely killed that first enemy past the first flag, went back to the flag, 4 times to learn the Dodger Picto. XD

Enemy levels are fixed but beware about grinding too much you can very easily become strong enough to OHKO the final boss.
It says right here in Matthew 16:4 "Jesus doth not need a giant Mecha."
https://i.imgur.com/dQgC4kv.jpg
boxoto
06/16/2025
09:40 PM
#28
iirc, you're also either at the right range to fight enemies or are above them if you enter an area and it doesn't say "danger".
Don't you agree, Zach?
https://streamable.com/ueacaz
Touch
06/16/2025
09:53 PM
#29
I wouldn't grind tbh. No real reason to until Act 3 (if you want). I felt like the games progression is good/fair enough to progress not all without grinding. But definitely do try your best to explore as the world is beautiful and it's fun finding items
You've buttered your last biscuit, pardner.
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy
06/16/2025
11:43 PM
#30
There seems to be a lot of... stuff... to collect. Finally getting back to playing the game since I had work and then I was watching some Youtube stuff, but I'm back in now. Picked up some Energy Tint as well as an item that lets me level up a weapon?

So you have character specific abilities, character stats, pictos which give you general abilities, you can level up weapons, AND whatever this energy tint is? Alright, let's see if it ends up being a little overwhelming or not.
Lindsay - Jan 13, 1990 - July 17, 2023
Thank you for fighting the fight for so long for me.
Xerun
06/16/2025
11:47 PM
#31
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy posted...
There seems to be a lot of... stuff... to collect. Finally getting back to playing the game since I had work and then I was watching some Youtube stuff, but I'm back in now. Picked up some Energy Tint as well as an item that lets me level up a weapon?

So you have character specific abilities, character stats, pictos which give you general abilities, you can level up weapons, AND whatever this energy tint is? Alright, let's see if it ends up being a little overwhelming or not.


Dont forget equipped Pictos also give stats!
Currently Playing: Clair Obscur
Senta
06/16/2025
11:50 PM
#32
It might feel like a lot, but its all handled in such a way that it really never becomes a nuisance or sticking point.

It's all very simple, well crafted mechanics.
http://tinyurl.com/b95dwtg
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy
06/17/2025
12:03 AM
#33
"This one looks dangerous"

... the Chromatic Lancelier definitely did not GAF about me and did terrible things to me. XD

EDIT - There we go, third attempt and I got it. Woo!
Lindsay - Jan 13, 1990 - July 17, 2023
Thank you for fighting the fight for so long for me.
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy
06/17/2025
12:16 AM
#34
I love the little flavor text. I was climbing up a cliffside and Lune is like, "Someone else got here and set up these holds for us..." and Gustave says it was likely Expedition 69, the Climbers Expedition.

Like... that makes so much sense. Whatever is going on in this world where you have to send people to the mainland to try and figure out WTF is happening in this world, it would make SENSE that in the 67 year history of doing this, you WOULD have tried specialist groups. You know... what IF we avoid fighting all together and just tried to scale the cliffs and the Monolith. Why not try it? The fact that it seems like Gustave just has this encyclopedic knowledge of the Expeditions that took place before? Tells me more about him as a character.

Really well done.
Lindsay - Jan 13, 1990 - July 17, 2023
Thank you for fighting the fight for so long for me.
evilpresident
06/17/2025
12:19 AM
#35
For those who come after.
Corruption that you can believe in.
(She/her)
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy
06/17/2025
12:21 AM
#36
81! Expedition Journal 81 has been found!

This Expedition found that there was a Nevron they were able to communicate with!

I wonder if the Nevron are actually those who have been part of the Grommage in the past. The Paintress transforms humans who accept the Grommage into Nevrons. Just a working theory at this point.

"I was painted to bring light. Yes she painted me. Help me find light" - Jar

Bring him light? Light in... what way? Chroma?

NOTE TO FUTURE JAKAS: Jar is at the Abandoned Expeditioner Camp in Spring Meadows
Lindsay - Jan 13, 1990 - July 17, 2023
Thank you for fighting the fight for so long for me.
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy
06/17/2025
12:37 AM
#37
I gave Jar some Resin and I light his staff and it burnt for a bit. Only for a little bit, but it seemed to make Jar content while it burnt, and he said he could feel the Paintress' presence once more. Like he could tell what his mission was again.

I had the option of attacking him. I'm not gonna attack Jar. That seems like... not necessary at all. Sheesh.

Made my way to the Indigo Tree where some flares were shot out. I'm assuming there will be a boss battle. Let's fucking go!
Lindsay - Jan 13, 1990 - July 17, 2023
Thank you for fighting the fight for so long for me.
Touch
06/17/2025
12:45 AM
#38
Yeah I'm usually not one to read lore from journals but the past expedition journals were so fucking cool. And heartbreaking. And badass. Lots of stories to discover.
You've buttered your last biscuit, pardner.
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy
06/17/2025
12:50 AM
#39
Defeated the boss, saw Leo get skewered before. That's a shame.

We move onward to the rally point and find a message from someone stating that they took Maelle north and to find a door to a hut there... but they didn't sign it. I guess it is protocol for Expeditioners to sign whatever messages they leave, so Lune is sus. She also is like, "We wait 3 days. That is protocol!" and Gustave is having none of it... since you know, they were absolutely fucking routed by the old man at the start of their Expedition anyways, nothing has been protocol. Fuck it, let's go spring a trap I guess! Lune rolls her eyes a bit about it but isn't gonna let Gustave go on his own.
Lindsay - Jan 13, 1990 - July 17, 2023
Thank you for fighting the fight for so long for me.
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy
06/17/2025
12:53 AM
#40
Woah, alright! I thought the game was gonna be like FF10 in the sense of it would be interconnected areas without a world map area... but nope, I leave this spot and come onto a world map area!

The game keeps surprising me in fun ways!
Lindsay - Jan 13, 1990 - July 17, 2023
Thank you for fighting the fight for so long for me.
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy
06/17/2025
12:57 AM
#41
Seems that the Fracture did some truly strange things. There are remnants of buildings just sitting on the continent, clearly plucked from where they were and teleported to be... here. There are also what seems to be giant figures that are encased in/turned into glass like some of the Expedition members. Nevron's work, or something else entirely?

I see there is Abbest Cave nearby with "DANGER" written about it. Fuck it, let's see how dangerous. XD

EDIT - DANGER! INCREDIBLE DANGER!

Also, interesting to see like regular animals in this area that are covered in some sort of glow like they are being protected by magic?
Lindsay - Jan 13, 1990 - July 17, 2023
Thank you for fighting the fight for so long for me.
Citrik
06/17/2025
01:10 AM
#42
We're at about the same pace. Love that your reactions have been similar to mine lol.
Buried alive in the coffin of who I used to be
Valjackal is dead.
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy
06/17/2025
01:17 AM
#43
Camping now.

The characters are written so well. Gustave is a little broken right now and his mind is kinda circling just on Maelle, his adopted little sister, potentially all alone out there. He saw the old man literally reining carnage and death upon the entire team, killing most of them in moments. The old man far older than the Grommage would allow him to be. The rules of the world are no longer making any sense. Lune basically writes it out for him that everyone knew they were likely to die, including Maelle. They have a mission and she asks him if he still believes that Lumiere is more important than a single life.

Gustave can only shrug and say he hopes he still does believe that. Ooof
Lindsay - Jan 13, 1990 - July 17, 2023
Thank you for fighting the fight for so long for me.
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy
06/17/2025
01:29 AM
#44
Into the Flying Waters

Expedition 68 was in here. Their ship was blown off course by a huge storm, literally tossed into the air from the sounds of it. It was assumed they at least landed on the continent... which indeed they did.
Lindsay - Jan 13, 1990 - July 17, 2023
Thank you for fighting the fight for so long for me.
--Zero-
06/17/2025
01:33 AM
#45
When you get to the overworld go explore and look for the gestral secret arena. Best farming spot early game I believe you can access after you get 3 party members.
Sig
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy
06/17/2025
01:35 AM
#46
I am done for tonight, found the Expedition Flag near the Hut. ^_^
Lindsay - Jan 13, 1990 - July 17, 2023
Thank you for fighting the fight for so long for me.
boxoto
06/17/2025
02:54 AM
#47
in the over world, it's also worth it to fight the enemies you come across.

even the regular enemies (the ones that re-spawn after you rest) can reward you with new weapons or increase their levels and/or increase levels of your pictos. but that's the only the first time you beat them.
Don't you agree, Zach?
https://streamable.com/ueacaz
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy
06/17/2025
11:49 PM
#48
Knockin on the door to the hut bamf'd us inside what looks like a really nice... manor? Mansion? The Spencer Mansion?

LOL, it is just called The Manor.

It is like... beautiful in here. Completely untouched by the decay that the huge buildings went through on the Continent. I wonder why that is... did someone protect it with a Dome Shield like Lumiere? Most of the doors seem to be locked, but one was left open and Maelle is there, looking at a Picto. She asks if Gustave is real, and he just rushes over and hugs her. ^_^

Maelle doesn't remember how she got here but some creature who... isn't a Nevron? seems to have helped her. It doesn't speak and it "reinforced her pictos"? Either way, Party of 3 baby!
Lindsay - Jan 13, 1990 - July 17, 2023
Thank you for fighting the fight for so long for me.
DodogamaRayBrst
06/17/2025
11:59 PM
#49
love Maelle's combat.
Jeff_AKA_Snoopy
06/18/2025
12:03 AM
#50
DodogamaRayBrst posted...
love Maelle's combat.

It seems interesting for sure. I've spec'd a bit into burning things so that seems to ramp her damage a little bit.

The creature is called the Curator and I guess he is just gonna... tag along? WTF is happening?!?! XD
Lindsay - Jan 13, 1990 - July 17, 2023
Thank you for fighting the fight for so long for me.
Current Events » JAKAS Plays: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 *progressive spoilers*
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