‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Deluxe Edition’ (PC, Steam)
(save $8.70)
The surprise hit of 2025 is already getting a collector’s re-issue, but this time at a friendlier price point. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 captured critics and players earlier this year with its dark fantasy Belle Époque setting, and now the Mirror Edition offers fans a second chance at a special physical release.
The Mirror Edition is an Amazon exclusive priced at $59.99 and available for preorder now for both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Inside the box, you’ll find the full base game on disc, an exclusive Renoir-themed tuckbox, a SteelBook case featuring Verso and Alicia, and three randomly selected character art cards out of a possible ten designs.
Right now, the placeholder release date is Dec. 31, 2025, but that’s more of a safety net than a real marker. Most expect it to launch before the end of the year.
This package is being pitched as a more approachable alternative to the game’s premium Collector’s Edition, which sold out quickly despite its hefty $150 price tag. That version came with DLC outfits, an artbook, a different SteelBook, and even a Monolith Music Box statuette. The Mirror Edition pares things back, but keeps the essentials for fans who just want a tangible keepsake.
Reactions from the community are a little mixed, though. Many welcome the affordable price point, but others aren’t thrilled about the randomized character cards. The main points of view on the mirror edition is it’s either a glorified lootbox or a bargain, make of that what you will.
Still, for anyone who missed out the first time, the Mirror Edition is a compelling option. After all, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 isn’t just another RPG — it’s a critical darling from indie studio Sandfall Interactive, which sold 3.3 million copies in just 33 days and even drew praise from French President Emmanuel Macron for its creativity. With turn-based combat spiced up by real-time dodges, parries, and QTEs, it’s been hailed as one of the most immersive RPGs of the year.
The Mirror Edition of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available to preorder now for $59.99 on PS5 and Xbox Series X, exclusively through Amazon. Just don’t get too attached to any one character card — you might have to hunt it down later.
Gameplay mechanics: Where turn-based meets real-time flair
Clair Obscur blends traditional turn-based RPG structure with real-time, reactive elements in a beautifully hybrid system. Combat unfolds from a third-person perspective: on your turn, you choose actions like basic melee attacks (to build Ability Points), ranged attacks (with free-aim mechanics), unique Skills (often tied to flashy Quick-Time Events), or item usage.
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Defensive play is equally nuanced. On the enemy’s turn, you can dodge, parry, or jump in real time to evade damage — parrying is more demanding but rewards you with Ability Points and counterattack opportunities. You also manage a stamina system that lets you “Break” enemies, temporarily stunning them to create strategic openings.
The game introduces more advanced options like Gradient Attacks, Counters, and Skills, powered by a shared gauge that fills up through combat actions. Meanwhile, status effects, enemy weak points, and elemental weaknesses lend strategic depth and variety.
Each of the six playable characters brings distinct mechanics and playstyles:
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Lune crafts elemental “Stains” to empower spells.
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Maelle shifts through combat Stances to change offense‑defense balance.
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Sciel stacks and consumes “Foretell” using magical cards for massive blowouts.
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Gustave and Verso scale in power the more they attack, with Verso especially gaining “Perfection” ranks.
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Monoco can shapeshift into enemies and use their abilities — enhanced via his “Bestial Wheel”
Outside of combat, players can rest at camps, upgrade gear, bond with characters to unlock side content, and explore levels with hidden collectibles and optional bosses. Travel between zones is made possible by a mythical creature, Esquie, who gains new traversal abilities over time .
What does it feel like?
At its core, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a fascinating blend of old-school RPG structure and modern responsiveness. Battles play out turn by turn, but every choice carries a real-time element: dodging, parrying, and timing attacks can shift the tide of a fight. It’s as if Final Fantasy collided with Sekiro and Paper Mario — a mix of cinematic spectacle and hands-on skill. Each of the six playable characters has a distinct rhythm, from Lune’s elemental spellwork to Sciel’s tarot-like “Foretell” abilities, keeping combat fresh as you experiment with party compositions and strategies.
Install size: A lean package
Unlike many modern games that balloon past 100 GB, Clair Obscur is pleasantly compact:
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PlayStation 5: ~41.3 GB
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Xbox Series X/S: ~42.7 GB
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PC (Microsoft Store/Steam): ~41.0 GB
The good news is that all this ambition doesn’t come with a bloated install size. On PS5 and PC, the game weighs in at just over 41GB, with Xbox Series X/S pushing it closer to 43GB — compact compared to most modern RPGs. And while its painterly Belle Époque world might remind some of Greedfall or even Bloodborne in mood, its narrative and party dynamics have earned comparisons to Baldur’s Gate 3. It’s stylish, it’s layered, and above all, it’s one of those rare RPGs that manages to feel familiar and groundbreaking at the same time.
