Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Like so many games, Clair Obscur:

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Expedition 33 is about conflict, depicting factions and schools of thought that seem irreconcilable. But then also, somehow, it reveals a potential for harmony in those deep oppositions. And while this applies to the game's narrative themes, and its characters' inner turmoil, it's felt most immediately in its game's combat system. Historically, in RPG battles, realtime and turn-based have been the poles of a dichotomy. Sure, twitch mechanics have guested in turn-based play since Super Mario RPG, and Final Fantasy VII Remake linked ATB to frenetic action. Here, though, is a truer blend.

According to conventional logic, success in turnbased combat should come from build choices, party synergies, targeting weaknesses and resource management. Add reactions and timing to the mix and either the extra button presses are mere garnish or they dilute the purity of your decisions, relegating them to a secondary concern. Not so in Expedition 33. In attack, it follows in others' footsteps by adding QTE damage boosts – timely taps of the X button elevating the numbers that spew from your target. Yet rather than working with regular strikes, this extra potential is reserved for special skills. It thus becomes doubly prudent to use these frequently, and that requires careful AP management.