Clair Obscur presents a thrilling experience in its latest release, Expedition 33, where flashy, intense battles captivate players, but the true highlight lies in the depth of the games combat mechanics. This turn-based RPG offers players an impressive array of strategies to customize their approach in battles, enabling them to inflict devastating amounts of damage against their foes.

In Expedition 33, players take on the role of a group of Expeditioners who embark on a mission to defeat a mysterious entity known as The Paintress. This enigmatic being has a sinister ability: every year, she erases individuals of a certain age from existence. To combat this threat, players must utilize strategic thinking and team synergy in combat scenarios.

During battles, players can include up to three members from their party actively participating. A unique aspect of the game is the ability to call in reserve teammates if all active members fall during a confrontation. This feature adds an additional layer of strategy, as players must carefully manage their resources and team members to emerge victorious.

To illustrate the depth of character customization, consider my build for one character, Maelle, the fencer. Each character in Expedition 33 can equip three Pictos, which are essentially passive buffs that provide advantages such as the Shell status, increasing defense at the start of combat. The game further enhances this system by allowing other characters to utilize these Pictos as a Lumina after winning battles. Accumulating Lumina Points through leveling up and collecting resources is key to expanding a characters capabilities.

The true magic of character customization unfolds when players experiment with stacking Pictos and Luminas to create synergistic bonuses. For Maelle, I crafted a combination that maximized her damage output potential. This included strategically selecting buffs that could unleash catastrophic damage, particularly during critical hits, where a 200 percent damage boost could turn the tide of battle. However, this power came with a trade-off; some enhancements also increased the damage she took. To address this, I integrated defensive Pictos that improved her survivability in combat.

Each character possesses a unique combat mechanic that can be leveraged for amplified attack effectiveness. Maelle, for instance, operates through various stances. Players can switch between an offensive stance that augments damage dealt but increases damage taken, a defensive stance that mitigates damage, and a virtuous stance that allows for a remarkable 200 percent damage output, albeit with a greater difficulty in setup.

The combat system allows you to adopt different stances based on the six distinct skills available during battles. Similar to Pictos and Luminas, skills can be tailored to maximize their efficacy, resulting in intricate combinations that can significantly impact the battlefield.

While the complexity of the system may seem daunting at first, the game offers helpful visual cues to guide players toward optimal moves during combat situations. Even within just a few hours of gameplay, I began to appreciate the potential intricacies of the battle system. With Maelle, achieving the right combination of stance shifts and a stroke of luck from my Pictos and Luminas often allowed me to unleash thousands of points of damage on my adversaries. I was thrilled to discover a late-game Picto that enabled me to surpass 9,999 points of damage in a single blow, showcasing the games potential for exhilarating moments.

This is merely my interpretation of one character; the remaining members of the party each present their own distinct playstyles and unique skills ripe for experimentation. Additionally, the choice of equipped weapons plays a crucial role in battle strategies. The game truly shines when players align their abilities and skills seamlessly, culminating in a series of explosive attacks that can decimate even the most challenging of bosses.

Although I didnt fully exploit the vast potential of Expedition 33s battle system during my initial run, I found a combination of characters and skills that worked well for me, leading to a somewhat consistent play style. However, with hard mode on the horizon, I am filled with ideas and excitement to explore different combinations and strategies that could potentially break the game in new and thrilling ways.