Discussing graphics in 2025 seems bizarre. Such discussions typically hark back to 2009 when gaming technology was just beginning to evolve.
ultimately developing sufficiently to begin producing more photorealistic environments and character models
However, as more and more studios have managed to produce impressive-looking characters and environments, there is much less to discuss unless something appears particularly ghastly.
The discussion has moved to a far more intriguing topic: instead of focusing on how appealing a game appears, they’re now examining what the game actually looks like. Rather than debating whether there seems to be something slightly off with the facial features,
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
I’m far more enthusiastic to discuss how the game’s art direction is completely breathtaking.
Expedition 33 may not hit the mark entirely when it comes to “graphics” (however you define them), but it excels completely in terms of art direction.
A Sight Unlike Any Other
There’s something incredibly distinctive about how Expedition 33 presents itself visually. Despite being simple to draw parallels between its artistic style and those of comparable games that adopt similar aesthetics, it still stands out uniquely.
Elden Ring
with its enormous, far-off luminous trees
Xenoblade Chronicles
With the surreal floating rock formations, Expedition 33 manages to evoke imagery reminiscent of other games, yet presents them in a manner I have never encountered before.
The essence of art direction lies in visual narrative and setting a specific atmosphere. The scattered rocky structures suspended mid-air resemble the instant freeze-frame right after a dynamite explosion, with debris momentarily halted in space. This creates a sense of disarray and discomfort throughout Clair Obscur’s artwork, enhancing the ambiance of the tale. Post-expedition, discerning whether The Continent evokes beauty or fear becomes challenging; this effect stems from both the narration and the design elements employed.
Art Design Establishes Feeling
I was impressed by the thoughtfulness and impact of Expedition 33’s art direction right from the opening moments. The whole prologue takes place during late afternoon as the sun sets over the ocean, with crowds watching helplessly as the Paintress erases part of the populace with a single sweep of her brush.
The sunset not only enhances the poignant mood of the scene but also serves as a visual cue guiding players to comprehend that the sun is truly setting for characters such as Sophie as they vanish. Additionally, we get a sense of just how massive the Paintress appears against the skyline; she looms as an enormous, indifferent menace, showing little regard for the inhabitants of Lumiere. Her detachment and lack of concern towards the destruction she inflicts are effectively communicated through the artistic design.
Non-Literal Art Direction
The game features quite a bit of abstract artistic design during moments when characters find themselves journeying to different dimensions visually. For instance, as the Paintress adds another numeral to the tree, Gustave and Sophie get abruptly moved nearer to her, appearing in a pitch-black space where they silently observe the Paintress at work.
There are several scenes that I prefer not to ruin, particularly those where Gustave eventually reaches The Continent alongside the remaining members of Expedition 33. It’s unclear whether these scenes should be taken literally or not. However, it isn’t really important whether Gustave’s observations and encounters perfectly match reality since the way he perceives them matters most.
feels
is vividly depicted through the imagery.
The role of art direction is essential for crafting an engaging visual journey. It seems that numerous recent games prioritize achieving hyper-realism so intensely that they often neglect making their visuals captivating.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
It feels akin to Clair Obscur in this aspect, and it’s evident that the studio responsible for it prioritizes visual storytelling and artwork that amplifies atmospheres rather than aiming for realism and grounding.
I’m optimistic that since graphics have reached a peak level of quality, more developers will emulate Clair Obscur’s approach and focus on making their games visually captivating rather than solely concentrating on realism. Clair Obscur effectively demonstrates how symbolic visual elements can contribute significantly to setting the mood and ambiance, which I hope others take into consideration. Fingers crossed.