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Loved Clair Obscur: Expedition 33? Here Are 15 Must-Play Games Like It

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Ignacio Weil

Gaming - May 25th 2025, 15:27 GMT+2

Metaphor Re Fantazio — Metaphor: ReFantazio (2024)

Yes, it’s brand new—but *Metaphor: ReFantazio* already feels like the kind of game that people will be nostalgically tweeting about in five years. Created by the masterminds behind *Persona 5*, this game is unapologetically stylish, unapologetically weird, and unapologetically itself. You'll dive into a high fantasy world dripping with psychological depth, gorgeous UI, and existential themes—just like *Clair Obscur*. Its turn-based combat isn’t afraid to experiment, and neither is its narrative. If you're into the whole "dreamlike fever fantasy but make it an RPG" vibe, you're in the right place. Bonus: it makes you feel smart and emotionally devastated at the same time. | © Atlus

Witch Spring R — WitchSpring R (2023)

Don’t let the cute art style fool you—*WitchSpring R* packs more heart (and combat strategy) than most RPGs twice its size. This game puts you in the tiny but magical shoes of Pieberry, a reclusive witch who wants to be left alone but also, maybe, conquer the world a little? It's cozy, yes, but also surprisingly emotional and narratively rich, with a story that pulls off the rare feat of being both lighthearted and deep. Much like *Clair Obscur*, it isn't afraid to blend tones and genres into one unforgettable package. Also, who doesn’t love training up a lonely, spell-slinging witch with a heart of gold? Go ahead, be charmed. | © Kiwiwalks

Cropped Baldurs Gate 3 — Baldur’s Gate 3 (2023)

If you thought *Clair Obscur* had layers, wait until you meet *Baldur’s Gate 3*, a game that lets you romance vampires, throw cheese wheels at enemies, and dive into ancient political trauma—all before lunch. This isn't just a game; it's a whole lifestyle, and it excels at making your decisions feel meaningful and chaotic in equal measure. The dialogue is sharp, the characters are messy in the best way, and the freedom of choice is staggering. Plus, the combat system is a juicy, turn-based playground for tactical minds. If *Clair Obscur* tickled your brain and broke your heart, *BG3* is here to finish the job. | © Larian Studios

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE — Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020)

Sure, it’s a remake. But *Final Fantasy VII Remake* doesn’t just repackage the old—it rebuilds it from the emotional ground up. With breathtaking visuals, cinematic storytelling, and a real-time battle system that still pays homage to turn-based classics, this game gives you drama, angst, and existential dread in beautiful 4K. It’s like *Clair Obscur*’s older cousin who just got a new wardrobe and a fresh heartbreak playlist. The world is dense, the characters unforgettable, and yes—Aerith will wreck you all over again. Buckle in. It's gorgeous pain. | © Square Enix

Atelier Ryza Ever Darkness the Secret Hideout — Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & The Secret Hideout (2019)

Sometimes, you want to save the world. Other times, you just want to run around collecting shiny herbs and crafting potions with your besties—and *Atelier Ryza* gets that. With its sun-drenched villages and charming coming-of-age story, this game leans more slice-of-life than apocalyptic doom, but that’s exactly what makes it so special. Like *Clair Obscur*, it finds magic in the quiet moments and joy in the personal growth of its characters. The alchemy system is addictive, the character design is pure serotonin, and Ryza herself is a ray of sunlight in a world full of grimdark protagonists. | © Gust / Koei Tecmo

Cropped Fire Emblem Three Houses — Fire Emblem: Three Houses (2019)

If you ever wanted to play *Clair Obscur* but with more homework, more war, and way more tea parties—congrats, *Fire Emblem: Three Houses* is calling your name. You’re a professor at a Hogwarts-meets-Westeros military academy, shaping young minds (and battle strategies) while navigating a political powder keg. The narrative is split across diverging paths, all of them emotionally charged and sprinkled with heartbreak. It also has just the right amount of anime drama and tactical brilliance to keep you obsessively optimizing unit pairings at 2 a.m. If you loved the character-driven emotional arcs in *Expedition 33*, this one’s basically required reading. | © Nintendo / Intelligent Systems

Cropped Nier Automata — NieR: Automata (2017)

Ah, *NieR: Automata*. The only game that dares to ask: “What if robots had feelings, and also ballet-inspired sword combat?” This genre-blending masterpiece throws you into a philosophical blender and hits purée. Its post-apocalyptic world is as haunting as it is beautiful, with a narrative that spirals through multiple endings—each one adding depth to the last. Like *Clair Obscur*, it's bold, artsy, and deeply invested in making you question your own existence while dodging bullets mid-air. Bonus points for a killer soundtrack and the fact that your swordplay looks like modern art. | © PlatinumGames / Square Enix

Persona 5 (2016)

Welcome to the stylish revolution. *Persona 5* doesn’t just walk the line between high school sim and supernatural heist thriller—it dances on it in red leather shoes. You're juggling pop quizzes by day and diving into corrupted psyches by night, all while managing a calendar like your social life depends on it (because it kind of does). The game oozes personality—literally, the menus have more flair than most games’ cinematics. It’s sleek, emotional, turn-based perfection, and it knows it. If *Clair Obscur* impressed you with its blend of art and depth, just wait until Morgana yells at you to go to bed. | © Atlus / P-Studio

Divinity: Original Sin I (2014) & II (2017)

The *Divinity: Original Sin* duo is the tabletop RPG you always wanted but could never convince your friends to commit to. These games are brilliant sandboxes where choices matter, consequences hurt, and barrels are either treasure or a trap. *Original Sin I* is a delightful warm-up, but *Original Sin II* is where things truly soar: layered storytelling, deep character customization, and the kind of turn-based combat that lets you teleport enemies into fire and feel smug about it. If *Clair Obscur* awakened your inner strategist and drama addict, these are your playgrounds. Just don’t forget to quicksave. A lot. | © Larian Studios

Cropped bravely default — Bravely Default (2012)

Classic JRPGs called, and *Bravely Default* answered with a confident, “Let’s crank it to eleven.” This game revives the old-school Final Fantasy vibe with a twist: the Brave/Default system that lets you play the risk-reward game like a pro. With a beautiful hand-drawn world, a job system that encourages experimentation, and a fourth-wall-breaking story that goes way deeper than it first appears, *Bravely Default* is a love letter to the genre—but it’s got some wild ideas of its own. If *Clair Obscur*’s tactical and narrative layers hooked you, you’ll find a kindred spirit here. | © Silicon Studio / Square Enix

RESONANCE OF FATE END OF ETERNITY — End Of Eternity / Resonance Of Fate (2010)

Imagine a game where gun-fu meets turn-based strategy, then toss in bullet ballet, trench coats, and a dieselpunk dystopia—and boom, you've got *Resonance of Fate* (or *End of Eternity*, if you're feeling extra). This game is absolutely bonkers in the best way. The combat system is stylish, complex, and completely unhinged, letting you juggle enemies in midair like you’re directing a John Woo movie. The story? Moody, mysterious, and just cryptic enough to keep you wondering if you missed something important (spoiler: you probably did). If *Clair Obscur* made you crave artistic ambition with a sprinkle of chaos, this one’s a forgotten gem worth digging up. | © tri-Ace / SEGA

Cropped lost odyssey — Lost Odyssey (2007)

Ready for emotional damage? *Lost Odyssey* is here with a box of tissues and a haunting piano track. From the mind of Final Fantasy legend Hironobu Sakaguchi, this Xbox 360-exclusive blends traditional turn-based combat with a soul-crushingly beautiful narrative. You play as Kaim, an immortal who’s forgotten his past—cue the “A Thousand Years of Dreams” short stories that will absolutely destroy you (in a good way). The game leans hard into existential melancholy, just like *Clair Obscur*, but never forgets to deliver on epic battles and cinematic scale. It’s mature, melancholic, and massively underrated. | © Mistwalker / Feelplus / Microsoft

Cropped Paper Mario The Thousand Year Door — Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2004)

Let’s be real—no one expected a paper-thin version of Mario to deliver one of the best RPGs of its generation, but *The Thousand-Year Door* did exactly that. It’s witty, weird, and packed with heart, wrapped in a surprisingly sharp script and delightful turn-based combat. From theater-stage battles to pun-filled NPC dialogue, the game balances charm and challenge better than most “serious” RPGs. And yes, that boss fight with a literal shadow queen still slaps. If *Clair Obscur* impressed you with its stylistic boldness and strong personality, this one's the playful, fourth-wall-breaking cousin you didn’t know you needed. | © Nintendo / Intelligent Systems

Cropped Skies of Arcadia — Skies Of Arcadia (2000)

Sky pirates. Airships. Ancient civilizations. *Skies of Arcadia* is pure, distilled adventure in JRPG form. It's the kind of game that grabs your inner child and screams, “We’re going on an epic quest!” With turn-based airship battles and a vibrant, hopeful tone that’s increasingly rare in RPGs, it gives you that soaring sensation—literally and emotionally. The characters are earnest without being cheesy, and the world is just begging to be explored. If *Clair Obscur* made you believe in magic again, *Skies of Arcadia* will make you want to fly. | © Overworks / Sega

Cropped legend of dragoon — The Legend Of Dragoon (1999)

Often called a cult classic with a fanbase louder than a Dragoon transformation cutscene, *The Legend of Dragoon* is peak PS1-era RPG drama. It's got the moody protagonist, the mysterious past, the twisty plot—and of course, giant armored dragon forms that look like a rock opera on fire. Combat features a timing-based “Addition” system that makes every attack a little minigame, which is both satisfying and a tad stressful. It's melodramatic, sure, but that's part of its charm. If *Clair Obscur* scratched your itch for flair and spectacle, *Legend of Dragoon* has that energy in spades. | © Japan Studio / Sony Computer Entertainment

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If Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 captivated you with its rich storytelling, strategic combat, and artistic flair, you're not alone. This breakout RPG has quickly gained a dedicated following, leaving players eager for more games with a similar blend of immersive worlds and emotional depth. Whether you’re drawn to stylized visuals, turn-based mechanics, or deep character-driven narratives, this list features 15 hand-picked games that offer that same unforgettable experience. From modern masterpieces to hidden gems, these titles are perfect for fans looking to scratch that Expedition 33 itch. Let's dive in.

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If Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 captivated you with its rich storytelling, strategic combat, and artistic flair, you're not alone. This breakout RPG has quickly gained a dedicated following, leaving players eager for more games with a similar blend of immersive worlds and emotional depth. Whether you’re drawn to stylized visuals, turn-based mechanics, or deep character-driven narratives, this list features 15 hand-picked games that offer that same unforgettable experience. From modern masterpieces to hidden gems, these titles are perfect for fans looking to scratch that Expedition 33 itch. Let's dive in.