The start of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is “ugly”, according to a Gears of War veteran

The veteran creator acknowledges initial mistakes, but applauds the evolution and production level of the RPG.

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has become one of the most acclaimed games of the year and the particular GOTY for a significant part of the community, but that doesn’t mean it’s free from criticism. Even from within the industry, some voices have pointed out aspects that can be improved in Sandfall Interactive’s title, especially in its early hours.

One of the most striking comments comes from Adrian Chmielarz, former creative director of Gears of War: Judgment, who has spoken openly about his experience with the game. Although he makes it clear that he’s impressed with the final result, he hasn’t minced his words when referring to its start.

A clear evolution throughout the game

In a recent interview, Chmielarz explains that the first levels of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 seem “outdated” and even “poorly designed”, with scenarios that are too static and uninspired. According to his vision, it’s easy to notice that the team was still finding its tone and structure in those initial phases.

The designer emphasizes that the game’s growth is evident as the adventure progresses, until reaching final sections that he describes as great, spectacular, and much better constructed. For him, Expedition 33 is a clear example of a team that learns and improves as it goes, something that’s not always perceived so clearly in productions of this caliber.

From less to more

Beyond the specific criticism, Chmielarz is surprised by the extremely high production value, especially in the cinematic scenes, which he describes as “first-class”, even surpassing what much larger studios usually offer. He also highlights the European approach to an RPG with clear Japanese inspiration, something he considers unusual and very interesting.

His words don’t tarnish the game’s success, but they do provide a technically honest perspective that helps understand why Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 works so well… even starting from an imperfect beginning.