Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 vs Of Peaks and Tides

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: Single-Player Only
• Setting: Belle Époque-inspired Fantasy World
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Game Pass
• Unique Feature: An innovative blend of strategic turn-based combat with engaging real-time actions like parries, dodges, and aim-based targeting.

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: Online Co-op
• Setting: Ancient Eastern Mythology
• Platforms: PC (Steam)
• Release Window: 2026
• Unique Feature: A physics-based sandbox where players can strategically manipulate the environment and natural disasters to their advantage in survival and combat.

• Party Members: The game revolves around a core party of characters who travel and fight together. Up to three characters can be active in combat at one time, and players can swap them in and out at camp sites. Their different abilities and mechanics create complex synergies.
  Various (Human, Gestral, etc.)

• Tamed Beasts: Players can form bonds with the wild creatures of Everland, turning them into loyal partners. These companions can be used for aerial traversal and likely assist in base defense.
  Varies (Winged Creatures, etc.)
• Co-op Teammates: The game supports online co-op, allowing players to team up to survive, build, and explore together.
  Human (Player)

• Logs of Past Expeditions: Found in abandoned camps and ruins. These journals and audio logs detail the journeys and ultimate fates of the 32 previous expeditions, providing lore and clues.
• Colours of Lumina: A special collectible currency found throughout the world. These can be given to a character called 'The Curator' to increase the party's total Lumina points, allowing more Pictos bonuses to be activated.

• Resources: Found throughout the world, from 'brittle twigs and scattered stones' to rare materials from divine relics. Everything can be a resource for the limitless crafting system.
• Divine Relics: The ruins of the ancient civilization, holding powerful materials and lore about the world before the great war.

• Existentialism
• Mortality
• Hope vs. Despair
• Found Family
• Adventure
• Belle Époque
• Fantasy
• Time Limit
• Quest for a Future

• Eastern Mythology
• Survival
• Crafting
• Open World
• Base Building
• Monster Taming
• Physics-Based Gameplay
• Action RPG

• Gustave's Blade & Pistol: Sword and Firearm Combo
  Gustave wields a one-handed blade for melee attacks and a pistol for ranged attacks. His gameplay revolves around landing hits to charge his 'Overload' ability for a massive single strike.
• Maelle's Rapier: Fencing Sword
  Maelle uses a rapier and her combat is built around switching between Offensive, Defensive, and the powerful Virtuose stances, each providing different bonuses to damage and defense.
• Lune's Elemental Magic: Magic
  Lune is the party's primary magic user. She accumulates elemental 'stains' with her attacks, which can then be consumed to empower other abilities or exploit enemy weaknesses. She is also the main healer.
• Sciel's Foretell: Magic / Debuff
  Sciel's abilities revolve around applying 'Foretell' stacks to enemies, which trigger delayed magical effects. Her power is enhanced by consuming 'Sun' and 'Moon' charges.

• Crafted Weapons: Varies (Melee, Ranged)
  Players will craft their own arsenal of weapons from resources found in the world. The exact types have not been detailed but will likely include swords, bows, and spears.
• War Engines: Siege
  The crafting system allows for the creation of large-scale 'engines of war,' suggesting players can build and use siege equipment like catapults or cannons for defending their base.
• The Environment: Strategic
  The world itself is a weapon. Players can trigger floods, use shifting terrain for traps, or manipulate plant growth to defeat enemies.

• Character-Specific Outfits: Armor is primarily cosmetic in the form of different outfits for each character. The Deluxe Edition provides the 'Flowers Collection' and two unique outfits. Defensive stats are primarily managed through character attributes and the 'Pictos' system rather than traditional armor pieces.

• Crafted Armor: Players will be able to craft their own armor from materials gathered from the environment and defeated beasts. Armor will likely provide protection against physical damage and environmental calamities.

• Default Expedition Gear: Each character has a unique default outfit that reflects their personality and role (e.g., Gustave's engineer attire, Maelle's practical duelist gear).
• Deluxe Edition Outfits: The Deluxe Edition includes 'The Flowers Collection' (providing six floral-themed outfits and hairstyles for each character) and two exclusive outfits, 'Clair' for Maelle and 'Obscur' for Gustave.

• Functional Armor Sets: Customization is primarily functional through the crafting and equipping of different armor sets. Each set will have a unique appearance reflecting the game's mythological Eastern aesthetic.

Character progression involves leveling up to increase base attributes and earning skill points to unlock active and passive abilities in unique skill trees. A 'Pictos' system allows players to equip items that provide powerful passive bonuses. Once enough battles are won with a Pictos equipped, its bonus can be permanently unlocked for the whole party using 'Lumina' points, allowing for deep build customization.

Progression revolves around survival, crafting, and building. Players forage for resources to craft everything from simple tools to 'roaring engines of war'. There is no traditional skill tree mentioned; instead, progression is tied to what the player builds and the creatures they tame.

The game features large, explorable zones rather than a single seamless open world. Players lead the expedition through diverse and wonderous regions, including lush forests, scenic cliffs, and bizarre underwater areas where one can walk on the ocean floor. The world is filled with secrets, unique enemies, and traveling merchants.

• Gustave: Playable Character / Engineer
  The leader of Expedition 33. A resourceful engineer dedicated to protecting his people. He feels the immense pressure of the mission. Voiced by Charlie Cox.
• Maelle: Playable Character / Duelist
  A shy but formidable orphan who joins the expedition to forge her own destiny. She is the youngest member and an expert with her rapier. Voiced by Jennifer English.
• Lune: Playable Character / Researcher
  The daughter of prominent researchers, Lune is the expedition's chief scholar and strategist, driven to solve the mystery of the Paintress. Voiced by Kirsty Rider.
• Sciel: Playable Character / Warrior
  A cheerful farmer-turned-teacher who masks a painful past. She is a calm and committed warrior who has accepted the harsh realities of their world. Voiced by Shala Nyx.
• Monoco: Playable Character / Gestral Warrior
  A member of the Gestral race, who are immune to the Paintress' curse. Monoco joins the expedition for the thrill of battle, which his people view as a form of meditation.
• Renoir: Key NPC / Ally
  A man relentlessly driven to save his family, who will make any sacrifice necessary for victory. Voiced by Andy Serkis.
• Verso: Mysterious Stranger
  An outsider of unknown origin who closely tracks the expedition's every move for his own mysterious reasons. Voiced by Ben Starr.

• The Final Expedition
  The main story quest follows Expedition 33's year-long journey to find and destroy the Paintress before she can paint the number '32', which would erase them from existence. The narrative is linear and story-driven.
• Character Quests
  Optional side quests that delve into the backstories and personal motivations of each party member, allowing players to get to know them better and unlock unique rewards or abilities.
• Exploration & Discovery
  Exploring the world to find hidden paths, secret bosses, and powerful 'Pictos' that grant permanent passive bonuses to the party.

• Reclaim the Legacy
  The main overarching quest to restore the glory of the human tribes by surviving, building a new civilization, and cleansing the calamities from the land.
• Base Building & Defense
  A core gameplay loop of constructing and defending a custom base or village from the world's dangers, including destructive calamities and untamed beasts.

The game was released with a Standard Edition and a Digital Deluxe Edition. The Deluxe Edition includes the base game, 'The Flowers Collection' (six outfits and hairstyles for each character), and two exclusive custom outfits: 'Clair' for Maelle and 'Obscur' for Gustave.

• Q: What kind of game is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?
  A: It is a turn-based RPG with a unique combat system that incorporates real-time actions, such as parrying, dodging, and aiming for weak points. It is set in a new fantasy world inspired by Belle Époque France.
• Q: Is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 an open-world game?
  A: No, it is not a seamless open world. The game is structured around exploring large, linear levels and zones as the expedition progresses on its quest.
• Q: What makes the combat unique?
  A: Unlike traditional turn-based RPGs, players must actively defend during enemy turns by timing dodges and parries. On offense, players can chain combos with rhythmic button presses and use a free-aim system to target specific enemy body parts.
• Q: Is the game on Game Pass?
  A: Yes, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was available on day one on Xbox Game Pass.

• Q: What is Of Peaks and Tides?
  A: It is an upcoming open-world survival crafting game set in a world based on ancient Eastern mythology. It features a deep physics system that allows players to manipulate the environment to their advantage.
• Q: When will it be released?
  A: The game is scheduled for release on PC in 2026.
• Q: What makes the gameplay unique?
  A: Its core unique feature is the ability to strategically use natural disasters and environmental physics as a tool in combat and survival. It also features limitless crafting and the ability to tame massive creatures.
• Q: Who is making the game?
  A: The game is being developed by CyancookGames, an independent studio in China composed of veterans who have worked on titles like Diablo Immortal and Naraka Bladepoint.

Developed in Unreal Engine 5, the game boasts a breathtaking and unique art style inspired by Belle Époque France and surrealist art. It features stunningly beautiful landscapes, fantastical creature designs, and highly cinematic combat animations.

The game features a full, emotional orchestral score composed by Lorien Testard, designed to enhance the beauty and tragedy of the world. It also has a full English and French voice cast featuring prominent actors like Charlie Cox, Andy Serkis, and Ben Starr.

The combat UI clearly displays the turn order on the left side of the screen, allowing for strategic planning. Real-time defensive prompts appear during enemy attacks. Outside of combat, the UI is clean, with a focus on immersive exploration. Menus for skills, equipment, and the Pictos system are stylized and easy to navigate.

The game includes three distinct difficulty modes (Story, Expeditioner, Expert) that adjust enemy power and the timing windows for real-time defensive actions. It also features fully customizable subtitles and support for various upscaling technologies to ensure smooth performance across a range of hardware.

• OFFICIAL AND EXTRAPOLATED SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. This information is based on the official PC specifications from the game's Steam store page, adapted to the requested JSON structure. As a visually ambitious title built on Unreal Engine 5, the game is demanding, particularly on the GPU. Laptop and future-generation GPU listings are extrapolated based on performance benchmarks and technical analyses. The official requirements target 1080p/30fps on Low for Minimum and 1080p/60fps on High for Recommended.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop versions of the listed desktop GPUs require comparable performance, which is highly dependent on the laptop's TGP (Total Graphics Power) and thermal design. For a demanding Unreal Engine 5 title like this, ensuring the laptop has a high-TGP GPU and robust cooling is critical for a stable framerate.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: A high TGP is essential. A low-power variant of a recommended GPU may perform significantly worse and struggle to meet target framerates, especially at higher resolutions.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: Unreal Engine 5 can heavily stress both the CPU and GPU. A laptop with an advanced cooling solution will be necessary to prevent thermal throttling during long gameplay sessions and intense, visually complex combat.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: While the game appears more GPU-bound, a capable laptop CPU with good power delivery is needed to handle UE5's features and avoid stuttering during asset loading and complex scenes.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is highly recommended to minimize latency and ensure the GPU's full performance is utilized, which is vital for the game's real-time combat elements.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: The game is built on Unreal Engine 5 and supports NVIDIA DLSS, Intel XeSS, and Epic's native TSR. Notably, AMD FSR is not officially supported at launch, though mods may enable it. Upscaling is highly recommended for achieving stable framerates at 1440p and is essential for 4K.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: As a UE5 title using Lumen for global illumination and reflections, these settings, along with Shadows and Post-Processing, will have the most significant performance impact. The game has been noted to have some shader compilation stutter.
• Game Name: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

• OFFICIAL PC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS from the game's Steam page. These specifications are for the pre-release build and may be subject to change. The game is noted to be very demanding.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop performance will vary significantly based on the model's cooling and TGP. The game's high RAM requirement and physics-driven environment can be very demanding on mobile hardware.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU would be essential to handle the advanced graphical features and maintain stable framerates.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: The game's complex physics and large open world will require a laptop with a cutting-edge cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU will be critical for handling the emergent gameplay systems and complex environmental interactions.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus would be a critical feature for reducing latency and ensuring the best possible performance.
• Game Name: Of Peaks and Tides

• Upscaling Tech: The game is built on Unreal Engine 5 and supports NVIDIA DLSS, Intel XeSS, and Epic's native TSR. Notably, AMD FSR is not officially supported at launch, though mods may enable it. Upscaling is highly recommended for achieving stable framerates at 1440p and is essential for 4K.
• Key Settings Impact: As a UE5 title using Lumen for global illumination and reflections, these settings, along with Shadows and Post-Processing, will have the most significant performance impact. The game has been noted to have some shader compilation stutter.

• G P U T G P: A high TGP is essential. A low-power variant of a recommended GPU may perform significantly worse and struggle to meet target framerates, especially at higher resolutions.
• Cooling Thermals: Unreal Engine 5 can heavily stress both the CPU and GPU. A laptop with an advanced cooling solution will be necessary to prevent thermal throttling during long gameplay sessions and intense, visually complex combat.
• C P U Power Limits: While the game appears more GPU-bound, a capable laptop CPU with good power delivery is needed to handle UE5's features and avoid stuttering during asset loading and complex scenes.
• M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is highly recommended to minimize latency and ensure the GPU's full performance is utilized, which is vital for the game's real-time combat elements.

• G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU would be essential to handle the advanced graphical features and maintain stable framerates.
• Cooling Thermals: The game's complex physics and large open world will require a laptop with a cutting-edge cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.
• C P U Power Limits: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU will be critical for handling the emergent gameplay systems and complex environmental interactions.
• M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus would be a critical feature for reducing latency and ensuring the best possible performance.