9 Must-Play Games Similar to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

In my review of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, I mentioned that, like many others, I was blown away by Sandfall Interactive’s stunning debut.. Now that you’ve reached the end of the journey, you might be wondering what could possibly follow such a memorable experience. I’ve got you; here’s a list of similar games that might help fill that gap.

Persona 5 Royal

I’m about to state the obvious, bear with me. Of course, it makes perfect sense to bring up turn-based RPGs, and Persona 5 Royal is simply a must-play.

In Persona 5, you play as Joker, a member of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts. Alongside a group of fellow students, you tap into your Persona powers to infiltrate an alternate reality, where you “steal” the hearts of corrupt adults, forcing them to confess their crimes in the real world.

Like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Persona 5 balances high-concept fantasy with deeply human storytelling. Outside of combat, you’ll spend time building social links with classmates, teammates, and others, each with their own emotional, personal arc.

Add in one of the greatest soundtracks of all time and some of the most stylish, satisfying combat in the genre, and you’ve got a game that could easily keep you hooked for 100 hours or more.

Best for: Players who enjoy emotional character arcs, stylish turn-based combat with an amazing soundtrack, and building relationships with a memorable cast.

Persona 3 Reload

Even though Persona 4 remains my personal favorite, I promise this is the last Persona entry on the list. These 2 are the most recent and the most accessible for new players.

When the remake of Persona 3 was first announced, I was skeptical, as I often am with remakes. But that doubt quickly faded. Reload preserves everything that made the original so beloved, while meaningfully improving on the areas that needed refinement.

The reason I recommend it as your next stop after Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is much the same as before. Like Persona 5 Royal, Reload is packed with emotional social links and stunningly artistic turn-based combat that will keep you engaged from beginning to end.

And incredibly, the remake pulls off something I thought was nearly impossible: it delivers an even better soundtrack than the original, without losing its identity or diminishing what came before.

Best for: Players looking for an emotional story, unforgettable social links, and a darker atmosphere. Stunning visuals and soundtrack.

Nier: Automata

Let’s step away from turn-based combat for a moment, but don’t worry, there is one more to come. NieR: Automata may differ in gameplay mechanics, but it shares a surprising number of thematic and atmospheric similarities with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

The game that brought you here stands out for its high-level visual presentation and how that works in harmony with a fantastic soundtrack. That exact combination is also one of NieR: Automata’s biggest highlights.

In this third-person action game, you experience the intertwined stories of several androids. These androids are part of YoRHa, a military organization fighting a war against machines in a post-apocalyptic world.

And even though we’re dealing with androids here, another thing the two games have in common is their focus on human emotion and feeling. What does it mean to live? What is our place in the world? These are just a few of the existential questions the androids seek to understand.

Best for: Players who enjoy emotional storytelling, existential themes, and phenomenal music.

Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth

If you loved Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for its unforgettable characters, spectacular presentation, and emotional story beats, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth should absolutely be on your radar.

While the two games approach storytelling differently, they share many of the qualities that make RPGs so memorable. Both feature a cast of companions you’ll grow attached to, stunning visuals, a phenomenal soundtrack, and plenty of emotional moments that stay with you long after the credits roll.

Combat is another highlight. Rebirth leans more heavily into real-time action, but the ability to slow down battles and carefully select abilities creates a satisfying blend of action and strategy.

And much like Expedition 33, some of the game’s strongest moments happen away from the battlefield. Spending time with your party, learning more about their personalities, and watching their relationships develop is every bit as rewarding as the combat itself.

Best for: Players who want unforgettable companions, emotional story moments, and a spectacular RPG adventure.

Metaphor: ReFantazio

We’re wrapping up the list with one more turn-based game. Metaphor: ReFantazio was one of the best games of 2024, and one of the best I’ve played in the last 10 years. If you enjoyed Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, I’m confident you’ll appreciate the magical world of Metaphor as well.

When King Hythlodaeus V is assassinated, the kingdom descends into chaos. To choose the next ruler, a Royal Tournament is declared. You set out to gather support, but more importantly, to uncover the truth behind the dark forces that led to the king’s murder and the curse that keeps his rightful heir into a long slumber.

This fantasy RPG, like Persona, is the third Atlus game on the list, and it shares many of the same qualities. Unforgettable social links, sleek, stylish graphics, and an absolute banger of a soundtrack combine with a deep and challenging combat system, making it an essential addition to the list.

Best for: Players who enjoy deep turn-based combat, strong worldbuilding, and character-driven storytelling.

Baldur’s Gate 3

At first glance, Baldur’s Gate 3 might seem like an unusual recommendation. The combat system is very different, as this is primarily a tactical RPG. The world is also much larger, and you’re given an enormous amount of freedom in how you approach quests, solve problems, and shape your adventure.

The biggest similarity lies in the companions and the relationships you build with them. Characters like Shadowheart, Astarion, and Karlach quickly become the heart of the experience, and much like Expedition 33, it feels as though you and your companions are embarking on an impossible mission together.

And perhaps most importantly, both games excel at creating those unforgettable moments where character development, storytelling, music, and gameplay come together perfectly. Despite the major differences in combat and structure, they evoke many of the same emotions and leave a similarly lasting impression.

Best for: Players who enjoy meaningful choices, deep companion relationships, lots of freedom and tactical combat.ea of Stars

If you’re not quite done with turn-based combat but would prefer something a little lighter after the emotional weight of Expedition 33, look no further than Sea of Stars.

This indie RPG draws heavy inspiration from classics like Chrono Trigger, combining traditional turn-based combat with timing-based mechanics that keep battles engaging from start to finish. While the combat system isn’t as deep as the one found in the game that brought you to this list, it still rewards paying attention and actively participating in every encounter.

The story follows two Children of the Solstice as they set out to stop an ancient evil threatening the world. Along the way, you’ll meet memorable companions, uncover countless secrets, and explore a variety of beautiful environments.

The gorgeous pixel art, combined with an excellent soundtrack, gives the entire adventure a sense of charm that never fades, making Sea of Stars an easy recommendation for fans of character-driven RPGs.

Best for: Players looking for a charming turn-based RPG with beautiful pixel art and a lighter tone.

Final Fantasy X

For this one, we have to go a little further back in time, so despite the Remaster, don’t expect cutting-edge visuals. Still, if there’s one game that constantly comes up whenever people discuss titles similar to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, it’s Final Fantasy X. And it’s not hard to see why.

Like Expedition 33, Final Fantasy X revolves around a journey that feels both hopeful and doomed from the very beginning. The story follows Tidus, a young blitzball star who finds himself transported to the world of Spira. There, he joins summoner Yuna on a pilgrimage that could save the world from a monstrous force known as Sin.

The combat system is more traditional than Expedition 33‘s reactive turn-based battles, but the emotional core feels remarkably similar. Both games excel at building strong bonds between party members while exploring themes of sacrifice, loss, and making the most of the time you have left.

And if you’re someone who values a great soundtrack, you’re in for a treat. Final Fantasy X remains one of the most memorable RPGs ever made, and for good reason.

Best for: Players looking for an emotional turn-based RPG with memorable characters and themes of sacrifice and mortality.

Lost Odyssey

Let’s stick with older games for a moment. Lost Odyssey was released back in 2007 and is one of those RPGs that never quite received the attention it deserved. Yet whenever fans discuss games that share DNA with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, it almost always enters the conversation.

In case you don’t take it from me, take it from Expedition 33′s creative director Guillaume Broche, who said Lost Odyssey was the last game that made him cry.

You play as Kaim, an immortal warrior who has lived for over a thousand years. Lost Odyssey explores the emotional burden that comes with such a long life. Through a series of beautifully written memories, the game reflects on grief, love, loss, and the people we leave behind along the way.

The further you progress, the clearer the similarities with Expedition 33 become. Both games combine fantastical worlds with mature storytelling, often placing human emotions at the forefront rather than focusing solely on grand battles and world-threatening conflicts.

The turn-based combat still holds up remarkably well today, but it’s the emotional storytelling that makes Lost Odyssey so memorable. If Expedition 33 left you thinking about life, loss, and the people around you, this is one game that absolutely deserves a spot on your list.

Best for: Players who enjoy mature storytelling, emotional themes, and character-driven RPGs.

Hopefully, these nine games will help ease the transition after finishing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Or… you know, you could always start a second playthrough.