Importance Score: 30 / 100 🔵
Embark on your adventure with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a visually stunning role-playing game (RPG) from Sandfall Interactive. After an exciting preview at the Game Developer Conference, anticipation has been high for its release. Having explored the game for over 20 hours, here’s a concise compilation of essential tips to give you a favorable head start on your expedition in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
Essential Tips for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Pausing Cutscenes
RPGs are often characterized by their extensive cutscenes, and Clair Obscur is no exception. Knowing how to pause these scenes for necessary breaks is crucial. Fortunately, you can indeed pause the game during its narrative-rich cinematic moments. Simply press “A” on an Xbox controller to bring up the pause menu where you can choose to skip or continue the cutscene.
Acquiring All Three Tokens Early On
During the prologue, you’ll have the opportunity to meet your teammates before departing. The game initially provides one token, redeemable at one of three merchants surrounding Expedition 33’s pre-launch festival. You can choose between a “pictograph,” an outfit, or an otherwise unusable item.
However, it’s possible to unlock two additional tokens, enabling you to acquire all available items before progressing further. Here’s how:
- The first bonus token is awarded for successfully completing a quiz posed by one of your comrades. (Key answers: Expedition Zero defeated the Paintress first, and the shattering occurred 100 years ago.)
- The second token is earned by winning a battle against Maelle.
Don’t stress about prioritizing; you have the chance to obtain every item.
Automating Quick Time Events (QTEs)
Within the accessibility settings, you can enable automated quick time events. This feature streamlines some real-time combat aspects. However, note that this only applies to QTEs triggered by your party’s attacks. This is useful if you struggle with timing or visual recognition of the icons. Actions required during an enemy’s turn, like parrying or dodging, will still require manual execution.
Strategic Team Listening
Pay close attention! A party member will often announce when the team is under attack, revealing the target. For example:
- If Lune shouts, “I’m ready to counter,” she’s about to be targeted.
- If she warns, “Gustav, dodge this,” then Gustav is in danger.
Be mindful if you’re concerned about an enemy focusing attacks on a particular character.
Navigating Danger Zones
As you explore, you’ll discover side dungeons after unlocking the overworld map. Approaching these areas sometimes reveals a “Danger” label under their name. While tempting to challenge these difficult encounters, they are usually too challenging early on. It’s advisable to level up considerably before revisiting these perilous locations.
Mastering the Art of Parry
While dodging is generally easier during enemy attacks, neglecting the parry mechanic would be a mistake. A successful parry not only negates damage but also unleashes a potent counterattack. Even if you typically avoid parrying, investing time to learn and master this skill from the outset is highly recommended. The timing can vary across enemies and even specific attacks, but it’s an effective means of weakening tough opponents.
Elemental Counters
The element associated with your weapon is crucial when executing base attacks. This system is useful for exploiting enemy vulnerabilities, but also poses a risk if elements align poorly. A fire sword against an ice enemy will deal increased damage, but the same sword would heal a fire-based opponent. This consideration extends to parrying.
Even when avoiding damage and initiating a counterattack, you could unintentionally heal an enemy. Always be aware of elemental properties when deciding whether to parry or dodge.
Repeated Dodging/Parrying Opportunities
You have sufficient time to repeatedly dodge or parry during a single enemy attack. This aspect can complicate timing, especially with delayed enemy attacks and projectiles; however, it’s also advantageous. Should you mistime your initial response, you can attempt again before the attack connects. Consider it an opportunity for multiple attempts and corrections.
Exploiting Weak Points
Many foes exhibit weak points accessible via ranged attacks (LT on Xbox). Successfully targeting these areas inflicts significant damage and potentially triggers status effects on the enemy and its allies. Upon encountering new enemies, take a moment to examine their design for glowing or shining spots, often around the head or center mass. However, some weak points can be located on arms or even floating nearby. Prioritize these conspicuous features.
These initial tips should adequately prepare you for the expansive experience that is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, released on April 24 for Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.