Kinda Funny Gamescast: "We Played Clair Obscur: Expedition 33" – Detailed Summary

Release Date: March 3, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of the Kinda Funny Gamescast, hosts Greg Miller, Andy Cortez, Blessing Adeoye Jr., and Barrett Courtney dive deep into their experiences playing the highly anticipated turn-based RPG, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Released as a demo, the game has garnered significant attention for its ambitious mechanics and captivating narrative. The hosts share their first impressions, dissecting various aspects of the game from combat systems to storytelling.

Gameplay Mechanics

The primary focus of the discussion revolves around Clair Obscur's innovative combat system, which blends traditional turn-based mechanics with real-time elements. Blessing Adeoye Jr. expresses his enthusiasm:

"This is a game I could see me going all the way through for a number of different reasons. But what I played today was so goddamn impressive." ([10:02])

Barrett Courtney complements this view, noting the depth and customization available:

"Each character you have as part of your party has their own unique system of combat that works in different ways." ([24:06])

Andy Cortez highlights the active nature of the combat:

"Having that real-time action kind of built into your turn-based combat, I think just feels so active and so right." ([15:38])

The hosts discuss various combat mechanics such as parrying, dodging, and the integration of abilities that allow for strategic depth. They appreciate how these elements make combat engaging and prevent it from feeling static.

Story and Narrative

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 presents a narrative where the members of Expedition 33 are on a quest to eliminate a malevolent painter intent on "painting death." Blessing Adeoye Jr. articulates the story's impact:

"Seeing the early parts of this game of what they're dealing with, it's like, oh, Jesus Christ, this is such an interesting and kind of up world." ([11:07])

Greg Miller adds his perspective on the storytelling:

"The thing that really took me aback with kind of the little story tidbits that we got early on... that's when I think I had played it before Andy had and I was telling Andy, like, you got to check this out because I think this world and the story is definitely for you." ([25:04])

The narrative is praised for its ability to hook players early on, with elements of mystery and tension that keep the story compelling.

Visuals and Design

The hosts extensively discuss the game's visual aesthetics, comparing them to other titles and praising the artistic direction. Blessing Adeoye Jr. remarks on the game's distinct environments:

"I love that you can go from a super dreamy fantasy world... and then walk into something that looks equally dreamy, but still some somehow just equally cool." ([21:20])

Barrett Courtney points out the character and enemy designs, noting their uniqueness:

"I want to see these... it's like such a weird thing where I'm looking at first I'm looking at these enemies and I'm like, all right, I'm fighting just a rock creature." ([45:59])

There's also a humorous discussion about the protagonist Gustav resembling Robert Pattinson, adding a light-hearted moment to the episode.

Technical Performance

While the hosts are largely impressed, they do touch upon some technical issues encountered during the demo. Andy Cortez mentions:

"The game looks like it still needs some more work because... there were a decent amount of visual hitches and frame rate kind of drops." ([49:23])

Greg Miller adds his observations on frame drops during cutscenes:

"I was noting a lot of, of weird like frame drops and stuff like that in cutscenes." ([50:40])

Despite these minor issues, the overall consensus remains positive, with hopes that post-launch optimizations will address these concerns.

Overall Impressions and Anticipation

The hosts are generally enthusiastic about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, viewing it as a strong contender in the JRPG landscape. Blessing Adeoye Jr. confidently states:

"I'm going to be bold and say, yeah, I think this is a contender for me." ([53:37])

Greg Miller cautiously agrees, emphasizing it's early days:

"I think it's too early to say." ([53:40])

Barrett Courtney echoes this sentiment, while also expressing optimism about the game's potential impact:

"The stocks in this game are looking up right now for me." ([55:24])

The release date is eagerly anticipated, set for April 24, 2025, with the game priced at $50 and available on Xbox Game Pass on day one.

Conclusion

This episode of Kinda Funny Gamescast provides a comprehensive overview of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, highlighting its innovative combat, engaging story, and stunning visuals. Despite minor technical hiccups, the hosts convey a strong sense of excitement and anticipation for the game's full release. As they wrap up, they encourage listeners to stay tuned for more coverage and reviews as the launch date approaches.

Notable Quotes:

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. [10:02]: "This is a game I could see me going all the way through for a number of different reasons. But what I played today was so goddamn impressive."

• Barrett Courtney [24:06]: "Each character you have as part of your party has their own unique system of combat that works in different ways."

• Andy Cortez [15:38]: "Having that real-time action kind of built into your turn-based combat, I think just feels so active and so right."

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. [21:20]: "I love that you can go from a super dreamy fantasy world... and then walk into something that looks equally dreamy, but still some somehow just equally cool."

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. [53:37]: "I'm going to be bold and say, yeah, I think this is a contender for me."