While we still have a little while to wait for Clair Obscur Expedition 33's 2025 release, developer Sandfall Interactive has kindly given us a first-hand look at actual gameplay with a video posted to their official YouTube channel today. While it's only a few minutes long, the video gives us our best look yet at what we can expect from the full release.

We’re given a formal introduction to one of the game’s first explorable areas, Flying Waters. Visually stunning and looking like something out of a Wonderland story, we follow Expedition 33 leader Gustave as he and Lune search for their missing comrade Maelle. Along the way, they come across the stoic remains of two survivors of Expedition 68, a team that presumably pursued the same mission to defeat the Painttress decades before them.

Shortly after, we get a detailed look at what actual combat looks like in the game, at least when it comes to random encounters. Upon approaching and attacking an enemy named Luster, the screen transitions to the start of a turn-based encounter, which is very reminiscent of and clearly inspired by classic RPGs that use the same style. There’s even a “First Strike” bonus indicated, which occurs when you successfully ambush an enemy before they do.

As the fight progresses, we can see that Gustave's fighting style involves the use of both a pistol and a sword, with attacks utilizing both, along with his mechanical arm. Meanwhile, Lune's arsenal presents her as a mage-like attacker, using various elements against her enemies. PlayStation Blog also highlights the use of the Free Aim system, which allows players to shoot at enemy weaknesses.