Every year, the Paintress wakes and writes a number. Everyone of that age turns to smoke. This year the number is 33 — and Expedition 33 sets out to end the cycle. It’s one of the boldest premises in modern RPGs, delivered with a Belle Époque France aesthetic that looks like nothing else on the shelf.
The combat is the star: turn-based at its core, but every enemy attack can be dodged, parried or countered in real time. It keeps you leaning forward through every fight — part JRPG, part rhythm duel. Build-crafting runs deep, and the soundtrack is an all-timer.
It asks patience with its difficulty spikes, and some zones overstay slightly. It doesn’t matter. This is the RPG people will still be talking about in ten years.
Verdict: 9.1/10. Proof that small teams with huge hearts can go toe-to-toe with anyone.
Reviewed on PC. Also on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.