10 Best RPGs Like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Role-playing games (RPGs) have always been powerful modes of storytelling. But few come close to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s tear-jerking, emotionally-provoking moments. These emotive story arcs match up to a deep and complex turn-based party combat system. The end result is an exceptional gaming experience every RPG or other gaming fan ought to try. 

But if you’re curious if there are other games that offer a similar, if not better, experience, the answer is yes, there are. We’ve rounded up the best RPGs like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 that offer a similar caliber of fun, intrigue, and non-stop engagement. 

10. NieR: Automata

It’s finally happened: humans are deserting their homes, leaving ruthless machines to take over. It’s a dystopian world, one in which the last hope rests on three androids: 2B, 9S, and A2. 

You’ll control the androids in battles against powerful machines. As the war rages on, a long-forgotten truth unfolds in NieR: Automata’s fairly captivating story, but definitely engrossing combat. 

9. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Just by the fact that Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice comes from FromSoftware, the developers behind Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring, makes it a must-play among RPG fans. It takes place in an interesting setting, during the late 1500s Sengoku Japan era.

Tasked with protecting a young lord who’s captured, you embark on a quest to regain your honor. Neither vicious enemies nor death itself can stop you from seeking vengeance and fulfilling your oath. 

8. Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Over the years, the Pokémon franchise has been a monster-catching and taming gaming experience. You explore a sprawling and vibrant world, adding diverse Pokémon creatures to your collection. 

However, the franchise evolved to adding turn-based combat and Pokemon Legends: Arceus is, arguably, the best of the bunch. It introduces quality of life changes like the ability to exchange attack damage for more turns and vice versa. 

Turn-based battles also integrate into the open world, thus seamlessly transitioning between exploration and combat. Because of the new changes to action and RPG gameplay, Pokémon Legends: Arceus marks the best entry point into the franchise

7. Chained Echoes

If you’d prefer a slight twist to the open-world RPG gameplay, you can consider Chained Echoes. It, interestingly, merges fantasy dragons and piloted mech suits. An out-of-the-box combination that works perfectly well. 

It only makes the arsenal at your disposal all the broader and deeper, including swords you can wield and magic spells you can cast. As a result, every moment is infused with stylish visual effects and varied options to take down enemies. 

While the story may not be as deep as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the worldbuilding and turn-based system make up for it. You traverse diverse biomes and fighting areas, from forgotten dungeons to sunken cities and exotic archipelagos.

6. Persona 5 Royal

Persona 5 Royal isn’t just among the best RPGs like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, but one of the best games overall. It starts in a high school in Tokyo, where you become a Phantom Thief. 

By day, you live a normal student life. But when night falls, your Persona awakens, and you head out into the city to orchestrate heists. The best part is that both lives are deep and meaningful. 

As a student, you attend classes and socialize with friends after school. And at night, your missions take you on a wild journey, gradually stripping power from the corrupt. 

5. Divinity: Original Sin 2

Next up is Divinity: Original Sin 2, which features quite an interesting fantasy world. Flesh-eating elves are common here, as are the undead. All of these are available roles you can play and recruit to your party. However, be careful, as not every character can be trusted. 

Gradually, you’ll begin to imprint on the world through your choices. The world will react to your decisions, shaping your journey accordingly. The level of freedom you have is impressive, whether you choose to solve quests a different way or kill random NPCs. 

But a great danger looms in the background. The world is desperate for you to save it from an oppressive order that is afraid of magic. 

4. Metaphor: ReFantazio

It’s no secret that JRPGs make some of the best RPG games, and among the best options is Metaphor: ReFantazio. Its story is quite profound, involving the struggle to appoint a new king. The world is as expansive, too, as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, from explorable dungeons to immersive towns. 

Meanwhile, combat blends turn-based and real-time action. You can customize your party using different abilities, going on to form deeper bonds, complete quests, beat dungeons, and search for hidden treasure. 

3. Lost Odyssey

Lost Odyssey has been claimed to have a significant influence on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and it’s easy to see why. The protagonist, Kaim, is immortal and has seen countless deaths. Loss constantly resurface, coinciding with Expedition 33’s hopeless quest. 

But the combat, too, has similarities. The rings system, in particular, lets you learn skills and significantly boost damage if you hit the ring at the perfect time. 

2. Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster

Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster gives you double the trouble for a franchise greatly renowned among RPG fans. And Final Fantasy X, specifically, will give you close similarities to Expedition 33. It makes sense, given that Expedition 33’s Director was a part of the Final Fantasy X team. 

The story is about a group of adventurers embarking on a quest to defeat a monster called Sin, just as the expeditioners try to defeat the Paintress. However, Final Fantasy X's turn-based combat shares similarities, too, from parallel party members to the mechanics.

1. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Finally, check out Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, featuring quite an engrossing turn-based gameplay system that, every so often, adds hilarious story beats and minigames for good measure. 

It’s the best route for gamers looking for a different spice of story and combat that’s just as creative and bold. Plus, it can be a getaway from the hopeless themes of embarking on a futile mission to a more laid-back and carefree adventure by the shores of Hawaii.