This game broke my heart - and was a return to JRPGs for me, after a childhood spent playing Kingdom Hearts but an adulthood spent in Stardew Valley esque titles. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the themes next week.
This is a great review, and clearly meant a lot to you. I've been hearing a lot of positive things about this game, but I don't have a lot of experience with turn-based RPGs. Would you say that it's a good game even if you don't have that kind of play experience?
Thanks for reading! And yes, I'd even say it's a great entry point to the genre. In terms of mechanics, it combines turn-based elements with dodge/parry mechanics so well. It makes the player actively take part in combat. And it feels really satisfying. If you are good enough, you can (theoratically) beat the toughest boss without taking a single hit. No one really expects you to do that, but it is possible.
My friend who initially recommended this game to me doesn't play turn-based games at all. He's more of an action player, and is generally really good at games. Yet, he said that this was an incredible game, that he had been obsessed when he first beat it and kept sending me memes about it.
So I'd say the game meets a happy medium where RPG ''veterans'' can find it a breath of fresh air while people who enjoy more action oriented games and/or soulslikes can dip their toes into the genre without feeling too out of place.
Of course, this is all from my perspective, so your mileage may vary. I hope you enjoy the game if you happen to give it a try!
I will bear that in mind, thanks. I think I've always been put off by games like Final Fantasy simply because I wouldn't be able to work out the strategy for winning battles or not like the lack of control as enemies just attack me. Otherwise I think I would enjoy the narratives. If there is some "realtime" elements to it, that might appeal to me more.
As a huge FF7 and FF10 fan this was the absolute best game I've played in a very long time. Hands down my game of the year for a lot of the reasons you mentioned.
And the soundtrack!!! It actually reminds me a lot of Soken's work on FF14 (which I love). Une vie a t'aimer is my favourite and Victor Borba's (the male vocalist) performance is just... I have no words. There's a part around the 8 min mark (after the guitar solo) where they do a bit of wordless singing that has me in a chokehold. Can't tell you how many times I've replayed that part!
I lose my mind a little whenever I listen to Une vie à t'aimer, there is just so much I could say about it. I immediately knew what part you were talking about, it's soo great.
Alice Duport-Percier's more melancholic and resigned signing contrasting with Victor Borba's aggressive and desperate singing is so... wow. Just wow. I really want a live performance of this song. Imagine them performing at an award ceremony? I would be so happy!
A live performance would be incredible! They'll need to hand out tissues to the audience at the door, that's for sure! I don't know if you've heard 'We Lost' yet. It's the soundtrack for an endgame boss and the instrumentals are out of this world.
I heard, yes! I listened to the whole soundtrack and 'We Lost' was amazing. Though I never fought 'that boss' haha it looks wayy above my skill level, but I do want to try eventually. I'm slowly playing through NG+ right now so it'll be a while before I get to him 😁
👏Bravo! What a great fantastic review. I am such a sucker for the soundtracks of games and I adored the breakdown of your favorites from the game. Also, your personal experience with France is such a nice touch to the whole experience. I think I will use my free gamepass month after summer to finally play it. 😊
Thank you so much! I knew you'd enjoy the soundtrack section 😁 It's mindblowing to me that the composer Lorien Testard had never worked on video games before, so I need to give the OST all the praise it can get!
I hope you like it if you end up playing it! Don't hesitate to let me know if you play it, I'd be curious to learn your thoughts as you play
Every time I read a new review of Clair Obscur, I feel I'm missing the best thing that happen in RPGs in years. Your post, well written and with that lovely personal touch that I really appreciate, is another one that builds over the hype. Great stuff!
Thanks! I think part of why people are hyping this game up is that it is such a fresh breath of air in the genre. The way it combines turn-based battle with the parry/dodge mechanic is enough to make people who don't like turn-based games like it. Throw it together with great music, art and writing, you get a pretty hyped game!
I was obsessed with this game lol. And hey, I made this game timeline from the year 100 to 33. Check out if you are interested. (https://ko-fi.com/s/d0f6e4d263 or in my recent post) Hope it could help with your next article.
This game broke my heart - and was a return to JRPGs for me, after a childhood spent playing Kingdom Hearts but an adulthood spent in Stardew Valley esque titles. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the themes next week.
Thank you for reading!
This is a great review, and clearly meant a lot to you. I've been hearing a lot of positive things about this game, but I don't have a lot of experience with turn-based RPGs. Would you say that it's a good game even if you don't have that kind of play experience?
Thanks for reading! And yes, I'd even say it's a great entry point to the genre. In terms of mechanics, it combines turn-based elements with dodge/parry mechanics so well. It makes the player actively take part in combat. And it feels really satisfying. If you are good enough, you can (theoratically) beat the toughest boss without taking a single hit. No one really expects you to do that, but it is possible.
My friend who initially recommended this game to me doesn't play turn-based games at all. He's more of an action player, and is generally really good at games. Yet, he said that this was an incredible game, that he had been obsessed when he first beat it and kept sending me memes about it.
So I'd say the game meets a happy medium where RPG ''veterans'' can find it a breath of fresh air while people who enjoy more action oriented games and/or soulslikes can dip their toes into the genre without feeling too out of place.
Of course, this is all from my perspective, so your mileage may vary. I hope you enjoy the game if you happen to give it a try!
I will bear that in mind, thanks. I think I've always been put off by games like Final Fantasy simply because I wouldn't be able to work out the strategy for winning battles or not like the lack of control as enemies just attack me. Otherwise I think I would enjoy the narratives. If there is some "realtime" elements to it, that might appeal to me more.
As a huge FF7 and FF10 fan this was the absolute best game I've played in a very long time. Hands down my game of the year for a lot of the reasons you mentioned.
And the soundtrack!!! It actually reminds me a lot of Soken's work on FF14 (which I love). Une vie a t'aimer is my favourite and Victor Borba's (the male vocalist) performance is just... I have no words. There's a part around the 8 min mark (after the guitar solo) where they do a bit of wordless singing that has me in a chokehold. Can't tell you how many times I've replayed that part!
I lose my mind a little whenever I listen to Une vie à t'aimer, there is just so much I could say about it. I immediately knew what part you were talking about, it's soo great.
Alice Duport-Percier's more melancholic and resigned signing contrasting with Victor Borba's aggressive and desperate singing is so... wow. Just wow. I really want a live performance of this song. Imagine them performing at an award ceremony? I would be so happy!
A live performance would be incredible! They'll need to hand out tissues to the audience at the door, that's for sure! I don't know if you've heard 'We Lost' yet. It's the soundtrack for an endgame boss and the instrumentals are out of this world.
I heard, yes! I listened to the whole soundtrack and 'We Lost' was amazing. Though I never fought 'that boss' haha it looks wayy above my skill level, but I do want to try eventually. I'm slowly playing through NG+ right now so it'll be a while before I get to him 😁
This is the first game apart from Witcher 3 that made me keen to try NG+ but I think I need some time for my emotions to settle first haha. Enjoy NG+!
This was the first time I immediately wanted to dive back into a game, so I understand! Thank you!
👏Bravo! What a great fantastic review. I am such a sucker for the soundtracks of games and I adored the breakdown of your favorites from the game. Also, your personal experience with France is such a nice touch to the whole experience. I think I will use my free gamepass month after summer to finally play it. 😊
Thank you so much! I knew you'd enjoy the soundtrack section 😁 It's mindblowing to me that the composer Lorien Testard had never worked on video games before, so I need to give the OST all the praise it can get!
I hope you like it if you end up playing it! Don't hesitate to let me know if you play it, I'd be curious to learn your thoughts as you play
Every time I read a new review of Clair Obscur, I feel I'm missing the best thing that happen in RPGs in years. Your post, well written and with that lovely personal touch that I really appreciate, is another one that builds over the hype. Great stuff!
Thanks! I think part of why people are hyping this game up is that it is such a fresh breath of air in the genre. The way it combines turn-based battle with the parry/dodge mechanic is enough to make people who don't like turn-based games like it. Throw it together with great music, art and writing, you get a pretty hyped game!
I was obsessed with this game lol. And hey, I made this game timeline from the year 100 to 33. Check out if you are interested. (https://ko-fi.com/s/d0f6e4d263 or in my recent post) Hope it could help with your next article.
Great stuff, thank you for sharing!