Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 at $50 Is a Pleasant Surprise

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After putting in five hours yesterday, I’ve found myself deeply immersed in “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33“. This is the exact type of game I’ve been craving, with a captivating narrative, well-developed characters, and a battle system that keeps me coming back for more. So far, “Clair Obscur” seems to be hitting all the right notes.

It’s quite unexpected that it’s priced at just $50, considering that many games nowadays cost around $70 or more. Given its potential to be a Game of the Year contender, one might assume it would carry a heftier price tag.

It turned out that Sandfall Interactive had discussed their pricing some months back. Though I comprehend their rationale, I believe they merit more acclaim given the exceptional quality of their game. However, charging $70 or $80 for an indie game might appear unfavorable to consumers, so it’s a delicate equilibrium.

As I delve deeper into the game, I’m consistently struck by wonder. I’ve just ventured into the initial expansive landscape, reminiscent of what RPG enthusiasts might recognize, and took a moment to explore the map. To my astonishment, the events I encountered in the first five hours barely scratched the surface – they represented only around 5% of this game’s colossal world. Just considering its size, it seems reasonable that it could warrant a $60 cost.

What makes this game standout even more is its exceptional voice acting lineup. Given that it’s an independent production, the roster boasts top-tier talent such as Charlie Cox (Marvel’s Daredevil), Jennifer Hale from Baldur’s Gate 3, and Ben Starr, the voice behind Clive Rosfield in Final Fantasy XVI. It’s clear that the financial investment for this caliber of vocal talent was substantial. I’d gladly have shelled out extra for such high-quality performances. Take a look at the complete cast list here.

Noteworthy as well is the exceptional technical performance of Clair Obscur. This game runs on Unreal Engine 5 and outperforms many AAA titles that utilize the same platform. Although I found S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl entertaining, it faced optimization issues, possibly due to its expansive open-world setting. At a price point of $60, this game is pricier. In contrast, Clair Obscur retails for ten dollars less and wasn’t developed by a tech giant like Microsoft. Most notably, Sandfall Interactive managed to achieve this impressive feat largely independently, making the outcome even more remarkable.

In contemporary gaming, a $50 price point might be expected more frequently, but alas, that’s not usually the case. This is because investors and AAA studios tend to increase prices to compensate for the high expenses associated with production. Even Nintendo, with their latest release of Mario Kart World, has adopted this trend. Nowadays, the price doesn’t seem to reflect quality as much as it used to.

Once more, we find ourselves grappling with the debate over video game costs, and it’s becoming quite exasperating.

Nevertheless, I’m thankful the game Clair Obscur is merely priced at $50. I would have gladly paid more for this masterfully crafted title, as its quality is truly remarkable. The fact that it was created by a team of just 30 individuals is nothing short of astonishing.

READ: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s Success Shows Growing Desire for Western Turn-Based RPGs

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2025-04-25 15:12