Former Gears of War Designer Criticizes Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Early Level Design
But the game remains impressive and far from disappointing
Clair Obscur Expedition 33 has been riding a dramatic wave of discussion lately. No matter which aspect of the game is brought up, it often sparks long and detailed debates among players. Most recently, PCGamesN had the opportunity to speak with Adrian Chmielarz, a former level designer on Gears of War, to hear his thoughts on the design of this 2025 RPG Game of the Year contender.
According to him, the early environments in Clair Obscur Expedition 33 feel rather simple. He believes the opening sections rely heavily on linear paths that do not encourage much exploration, which can make them feel slightly outdated. It is only later in the game that the scale of the environments gradually expands. Chmielarz openly admitted that, in his personal view, the early level design falls into what he would consider a poor standard.
However, he also pointed out that as the environments grow larger and more ambitious, it reflects how the development team itself learned and improved throughout the production process. The progression in environmental scale feels like a visible evolution of the developer’s gaining confidence as the game moves forward.
Despite his criticism of the early stages, Chmielarz emphasized that Clair Obscur Expedition 33 still left a strong impression on him overall. He was particularly impressed by the game’s cutscenes. Even without the budget of a massive production studio, the cinematic presentation reaches a level comparable to AAA titles, and in some cases even surpasses big-name studios.
What stood out most to him was the game’s overall quality considering its limited development time. The experience was so impressive that he expressed interest in personally asking the team about their development process and techniques. He also raised an interesting question for players: should a game’s opening level always showcase maximum spectacle and budget, or is a slower and simpler introduction sometimes the right choice? This remains an open discussion among the community.
About Clair Obscur Expedition 33
Clair Obscur Expedition 33 is a turn-based RPG with real-time elements. Players take on the role of a group of travelers tasked with hunting down The Paintress, a villain who is said to inscribe a number each year that determines the age of those who will vanish from existence. This year’s number is 33, forcing the group to unite and stop her before another tragedy occurs.
Combat focuses on command-based battles while allowing players to move freely to dodge attacks, counter enemies, and chain combos in real time. The main characters include Gustave, Maelle, and several other travelers who are all turning 33 this year. Together, they journey through a breathtaking fantasy world inspired by the Belle Époque era, featuring highly detailed and realistic visuals.
For fans of RPGs, this title is not one to miss. It successfully modernizes classic JRPG-style gameplay while delivering a visually stunning experience. A full review from ThisIsGame Thailand is also available below.
Source: PCGamesN
