If you’ve finished playing
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
and want to play something that scratches the same itch, there are quite a few role-playing games out there that share similar gameplay styles and likely even influenced the development of
Clair Obscur
. Before you get to any of the games on this list, though, I’d highly recommend replaying Clair Obscur at least one more time, as you’ll likely catch something you didn’t on your first (or even your second) playthrough.
Clair Obscur
is full of
mysteries and secrets
that are well worth replaying, and the
turn-based combat
mechanics and diversity of character builds that are possible make it well worth replaying multiple times. However, if you’re finally ready to move on and haven’t played any of the games below, you’ll find very similar styles of gameplay in each of these selections.
Legend Of Heroes: Trails In The Sky Is A Great World
The Trails Series Shares Many Common Features With Clair Obscur
You can’t really go wrong with any game in the
Legend of Heroes
series
in terms of similarities with
Clair Obscur.
The
Trails in the Sky
trilogy would be my top recommendation from the series, though all of them share common JRPG features from
Clair Obscur.
Both games share a deep focus on narrative, world-building, and rich character development. Like
Expedition 33
,
Trails
delivers emotionally driven storytelling with high-stakes conflicts
and deep philosophical themes.
Trails also excels in building interconnected stories across multiple titles, much like how Expedition 33 teases a larger mythos.
Turn-based combat is central to both, offering strategic depth and unique abilities tied to each character’s personality and growth.
Trails
also excels in building interconnected stories across multiple titles, much like how
Clair Obscur
teases a larger mythos. Players who appreciate the artistic flair and atmospheric tone of
Clair Obscur
will find similar immersion in
Trails’
vibrant setting. If you’re looking for an emotionally resonant JRPG with strong writing and satisfying progression,
the
Trails
series delivers that experience in spades
.
Dragon Quest 11: Echoes of an Elusive Age Has It All
A Vibrant World With Engaging Characters
If you loved
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
,
Dragon Quest 11
is a natural next step. Both games feature turn-based combat systems with strong strategic elements and visually stunning, stylized worlds. Like
Clair Obscur
,
Dragon Quest XI
delivers a rich narrative
filled with
emotional moments, memorable characters, and a journey of self-discovery
. The story unfolds with dramatic twists and philosophical undertones, much like the introspective themes found in
Clair Obscur
.
If you like the fusion and focus on art and narrative in
Clair Obscur,
you’ll enjoy
Dragon Quest 11
’s vibrant environments and beautiful music. The pacing balances exploration, character growth, and high-stakes battles,
offering a complete and satisfying RPG experience
. If you’re looking for another emotionally engaging adventure with heart and depth,
Dragon Quest 11
is an excellent choice.
Persona 5 Is Big On Style
Clair Obscur Director Says This Is “The Best Game In The World”
Persona 5
offers a similarly unforgettable experience as
Clair Obscur
. Both games blend stylish visuals, deep emotional storytelling, and turn-based combat with a unique flair. Like
Clair Obscur
,
Persona 5
explores psychological themes and the inner
struggles of its core characters
, diving into the hearts and minds of its characters. The game’s narrative is rich with moral complexity, and the director of
Clair Obscur,
Guillaume Broche, has even stated that
Persona 5
is
“the best game in the world when it comes to UI and combat visuals.”
Its bold art direction and soundtrack create a strong atmosphere, very similar to
Clair Obscur’s
style. With a dynamic cast of complex characters, layered storylines, and high-stakes battles,
Persona 5
is
perfect for players seeking depth and meaning in their RPG experience
. If you were captivated by the emotional themes and striking ambiance of
Clair Obscur
,
Persona 5
(and the entire
Persona
series really) should be on your list.
Metaphor: ReFantazio Has Strategic Combat
Strategy Is Key In Both ReFantazio & Clair Obscur
Metaphor: ReFantazio
offers a compelling combat experience that’s perfect for fans of
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
, especially the strategic gameplay elements. Like
Clair Obscur
,
every encounter requires well-thought-out decisions
. Its hybrid system combines fast-paced real-time skirmishes in the overworld with deep turn-based battles built around a refined Press Turn mechanic.
Each party member contributes a “turn icon,” and exploiting enemy weaknesses grants extra icons, while missteps can cost multiple turns.
The intricate archetype system allows skill inheritance across 40+ roles
, enabling bespoke builds and synergized attacks. Combat also emphasizes strategic positioning, buff/debuff mechanics, and tactical resource use. If you enjoyed the layered strategy of
Clair Obscur’s
combatencounters,
ReFantazio
elevates that by demanding sound strategy.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Has Combat Timing
A Charming & Light-Hearted Experience Reminiscent Of Clair Obscur
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
fans will want to play
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door,
as it offers a surprisingly similar experience with its blend of turn-based combat, emotional storytelling, and unique visual style.
Both games balance a whimsical presentation with deeper themes hidden beneath the surface
.
Thousand-Year Door’s
combat system stands out with its timing-based mechanics, making every battle more interactive and strategic, much like the thoughtful choices and precise dodge/parry timing required in
Clair Obscur
.
While
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
was originally released on the GameCube, a remake of the original is available for the Nintendo Switch.
The game’s world is full of personality, mystery, and narrative depth, with each chapter revealing new layers and quirky characters who grow alongside Mario. If you were drawn to the artistic storytelling, stylized combat, and narrative stakes of
Clair Obscur
,
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
will
charm and challenge you in all the right ways.
Final Fantasy 10 Sets A Standard
The Game Clair Obscur Strives To Be
Final Fantasy 10
is arguably the game that
Clair Obscur
wanted to be, especially for its refined turn-based combat.
FF10
uses the Conditional Turn-Based Battle (CTB) system, which removes the typical time pressure and lets you see the turn order, allowing for deliberate, strategic planning.
Swapping party members mid-battle adds another layer of tactical depth
, letting you respond to varying enemies and battle conditions, similar to how
Clair Obscur
encourages thoughtful team synergy with skill selection and buff/debuff strategies.
Both games emphasize emotional storytelling as well, with
Final Fantasy 10’s
world of Spira
echoing
Clair Obscur’s
melancholic beauty
and existential themes.
The tone is mature and reflective, exploring sacrifice, identity, and fate.
If you appreciated Clair Obscur’s balance of narrative weight and smart, stylish combat,
Final Fantasy 10
delivers in a timeless, unforgettable way.
Disco Elysium Offers Philosophical Storytelling
An Untraditional RPG With Clair Obscur Vibes
If you were drawn to the introspective storytelling and philosophical themes of
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
,
Disco Elysium
is a natural next step. While not a traditional RPG, it shares a deep focus on character development and internal conflict. Both games place a strong emphasis on narrative turning points and the consequences a character’s decisions carry, only in
Disco Elysium
,
the battles are psychological rather than physical.
Instead of turn-based combat, you engage in thought-provoking dialogue and internal debates shaped by your skills and past decisions. The surreal, painterly world of Revachol mirrors the dreamlike yet decaying beauty of
Clair Obscur’s
setting. If you appreciated how
Clair Obscur
used fantasy to explore meaning, identity, and despair,
Disco Elysium
offers a raw, haunting, and brilliantly written experience
that challenges you just as deeply.
Citizen Sleeper Explores Rich Themes
A Space Adventure With A Similarly Melancholic Atmosphere As Clair Obscur
Citizen Sleeper
offers a similarly powerful experience as
Clair Obscur,
but as with
Disco Elysium
, it’s through a completely different lens. Both games explore themes of identity, mortality, and the struggle for meaning in a fading world.
Citizen Sleeper
trades traditional combat for a dice-based system
that emphasizes survival, choice, and consequence, much like how
Clair Obscur’s
turn-based battles are shaped by strategy and emotional stakes.
The Citizen Sleeper 2 sequel was released earlier this year for all platforms, and is a faithful and compelling follow-up to the original.
The narrative in
Citizen Sleeper
is deeply personal and branching, driven by your relationships and the ethical dilemmas you face, echoing
Clair Obscur’s
philosophical depth. Set on a crumbling space station, its setting feels
as artistically distinct and melancholic as
Clair Obscur’s
dreamlike world.
If you were moved by
Clair Obscur’s
atmosphere and narrative weight,
Citizen Sleeper
delivers a similarly thoughtful and immersive journey.
NieR: Automata Delivers Grand Emotions
A Quintessential RPG Experience
If you were moved by the emotional weight and depth of
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
,
NieR: Automata
is an absolute must-play.
Both games explore existential questions of life and death
through stylized, melancholic worlds and deeply human characters, even when those characters aren’t human at all. While
NieR: Automata
uses real-time combat instead of turn-based systems, it shares
Clair Obscur’s
emphasis on poetic and linear storytelling in a mysterious and highly explorable world.
The gameplay fluidly shifts between combat, exploration, and narrative sequences, all reinforcing its core themes. Like
Clair Obscur, NieR
excels at emotional storytelling that challenges players’ understanding of what’s happening.
Multiple playthroughs unveil new perspectives
, which is likewise one of the best aspects of
Clair Obscur’s
NG+ mode
. If you appreciated
Clair Obscur
for its soul, atmosphere, and thought-provoking narrative,
NieR: Automata
is an essential RPG to add to your library.
Lost Odyssey Lays Out Some Clair Obscur Ideas
Clair Obscur Is Like A Spiritual Successor To Lost Odyssey
If you enjoyed the combat mechanics of
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33,
Lost Odyssey
is an Xbox exclusive that offers a similarly interactive system with turn-based mechanics. In particular, the Pictos system, where you can learn the passive effects and equip it as a Lumina, is straight out of the
Lost Odyssey
playbook. Like
Clair Obscur
,
Lost Odyssey
also relies on strategic party composition and perfecting timing during combat. Its unique “Aim Ring” system adds an interactive layer to attacks, with
quick-time events that can enhance damage or apply specific effects
, bringing an interactive element to otherwise classic turn-based encounters.
Each character has a distinct role and unique abilities, and immortals must learn skills from mortals, encouraging experimentation and planning for the endgame. Boss fights in both games reward strategic balance and resource management, making every encounter meaningful.
Lost Odyssey
delivers a grounded but emotionally charged system that feels equally impactful and rewarding as
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
, and it should definitely be on your list of RPGs to play next.