I don’t say this lightly, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is without question my Game of the Year so far. I went in curious, left absolutely floored. It's rare for a game to emotionally grip me the way this one did. It’s the kind of experience that reminds you why you fell in love with games in the first place.

Let’s talk story. I haven’t been this invested in an RPG narrative in a long time. The worldbuilding is rich and beautifully melancholic, with a constant thread of existential dread and hope intertwining as you uncover the mysteries behind the Paintress and the doomed Expedition 33. The emotional stakes feel high from the start and stay high. There were multiple moments that hit with the emotional force of Final Fantasy X’s ending, gut-punches that had me sitting in silence, controller in hand, just processing what I’d witnessed. It’s rare to find a story that blends surrealism, philosophical weight, and raw humanity so effectively.

The characters are a huge reason for that impact. Every member of the expedition feels unique and well-written, with their own goals, insecurities, and growth throughout the journey. But for me, Lune stole the show. Best girl, hands down. Her design, voice acting, backstory, everything about her is unforgettable. There’s a quiet strength and vulnerability to her that hits so hard as the story progresses. You want to protect her, you feel for her. She's up there with my all-time favorite RPG characters now.

Combat is where Expedition 33 shines just as much. It’s a turn-based system with real-time elements that immediately reminded me of Super Mario RPG, but much more refined. There’s a satisfying rhythm to every fight, blocking and striking with well-timed inputs, that keeps you engaged every second. But beyond that, the customization depth is wild. The game gives you tools to truly experiment: break the combat system, create absurdly powerful builds, and laugh as you steamroll enemies with clever setups. It gave me Final Fantasy VIII vibes, in the best way, where mastery of the system means total control, and you’re rewarded for thinking outside the box.

The soundtrack deserves its own paragraph. This game’s music is phenomenal, easily among the best I’ve heard in years. From haunting, piano-driven tracks during character moments to sweeping orchestral boss themes that raise your pulse, it’s clear that the OST was crafted with love and care. I found myself lingering in areas just to hear certain themes again. It’s the kind of music I’ll be listening to long after finishing the game.

Performance on PC was rock solid. It performed flawlessly, no crashes, smooth framerate, fast load times, and a good suite of graphical options. Visually, it’s stunning. The art direction is a beautiful fusion of oil-paint surrealism and high fantasy, giving the world a dreamlike quality that’s both eerie and enchanting.

All in all, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a rare gem. It doesn’t just check boxes, it creates a lasting emotional experience. For fans of classic JRPGs, or just gamers who crave something deep, beautiful, and heartfelt, this is a must-play. It respects your time, challenges your heart, and leaves a mark. I laughed, I cried, I cheesed the combat with a ridiculously broken build, and I loved every minute of it.

Stellar Blade completely exceeded my expectations. If you're into stylish action games like Nier: Automata or Bayonetta, this one is absolutely worth your time. It blends fluid combat, intriguing storytelling, and striking visuals into one seriously satisfying package.

Let’s start with the combat, because that’s where Stellar Blade truly shines. Every dodge, parry, and counter feels incredibly responsive and rewarding. There’s a smooth rhythm to it, almost dance-like, once you get into the flow. Boss fights especially put your timing and awareness to the test, and landing that perfect parry never stopped feeling satisfying. The game offers depth without over-complication, which keeps combat feeling accessible but also rewarding for those who want to push themselves on harder difficulties.

The story isn’t reinventing the wheel, but it’s consistently engaging. There’s a solid sense of mystery, world-building, and emotional moments throughout. I found myself invested in the fate of the world and Eve’s personal journey. It struck a good balance between fast-paced action and moments of reflection, keeping me curious the whole way through.

Speaking of Eve, she’s an incredible protagonist. Confident, capable, and yes, absolutely stunning. Her design is striking, and the game isn’t shy about embracing that. There are plenty of outfits to unlock, and let’s be real: some of them are definitely something. I found myself sticking with the YoRHa Unofficial Ceremonial Attire for most of my run. It’s bold, sleek, and, well… it doesn’t leave much to the imagination—in all the right ways. But beyond the visual appeal, Eve feels like a powerhouse. Her combat animations and movement sell her as a warrior with style and strength.

The music deserves a huge shoutout too. From haunting, emotional melodies during story scenes to pulse-pounding boss themes and beautifully atmospheric tracks while exploring, the soundtrack never misses. It elevates every moment and gives the game a truly cinematic feel.

On the technical side, the PC version ran flawlessly on my setup. No crashes, no major bugs, and performance was consistently smooth, even during intense combat or high-detail cutscenes. The game also looks fantastic, especially with everything cranked up.

All in all, Stellar Blade was a fun, stylish, and emotionally resonant ride from start to finish. It might not be the most groundbreaking narrative-wise, but everything else it delivers, from its tight combat to its stellar presentation, more than makes up for it. I had a blast playing through it, and I’ll probably dive back in for a NG+ run.

Highly recommended for fans of action RPGs, especially those who loved Nier: Automata or Bayonetta.

★★★★⯪