Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – A Deep Dive into the Hardware Demands of the 2025 Game of the Year
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has captivated the gaming world, sweeping The Game Awards 2025 with an unprecedented nine wins, including the coveted Game of the Year title. This turn-based RPG, developed by Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive, launched on April 24, 2025, across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, quickly establishing itself as a benchmark for modern gaming experiences. As hardware reviewers, our focus shifts to the underlying technology powering this critically acclaimed title and the specifications required to fully immerse oneself in its Belle Époque-inspired dark fantasy world.
Technical Breakdown
System Requirements Overview
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, built on Unreal Engine 5, presents a visually stunning experience that demands capable hardware for optimal performance. The game's detailed environments and unique real-time mechanics within turn-based combat necessitate a robust system to deliver smooth framerates and high-fidelity graphics.
For players looking to meet the minimum entry point, the game requires a 64-bit processor and operating system, specifically Windows 10. The CPU should be at least an Intel Core i7-8700K or an AMD Ryzen 5 1600X, paired with 8 GB of RAM. Graphically, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB, AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT 6 GB, or Intel Arc A380 6 GB is listed as the minimum. A critical requirement for all configurations is 55 GB of available storage on an SSD, emphasizing the need for fast data access to minimize loading times.
To truly experience Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 at its recommended settings, targeting 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second with high graphical fidelity, a more powerful setup is advised. This includes Windows 11 as the operating system, an Intel Core i7-12700K or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X processor, and 16 GB of RAM. For graphics, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti 8 GB or an AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT 16 GB is recommended. DirectX Version 12 is required across all specifications.
Performance Benchmarks and Optimizations
Initial performance reviews indicate that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a graphically demanding title, even for modern hardware. Achieving 60 FPS at 1080p with maximum settings typically requires an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070, AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT, or RX 6900 XT. For those aiming for 1440p, an RTX 4070 Super coupled with an AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D has been noted to achieve around 90 FPS with upscaling enabled.
The game supports NVIDIA DLSS and Intel XeSS for upscaling, which can significantly boost performance without a substantial loss in image quality. However, it is noteworthy that AMD FSR and Frame Generation technologies are not natively supported, which might limit performance gains for some users. Despite being an Unreal Engine game, shader compilation stutter has been reported as minimal, often hidden within loading screens.
Build Quality and Visuals
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leverages the capabilities of Unreal Engine 5 to deliver its "painterly visuals and poetic storytelling within a surreal, hand-crafted world". The game's art direction is a significant highlight, combining Belle Époque aesthetics with dark fantasy elements, resulting in "extremely well crafted" environments and high-polygon models. The developers have effectively utilized lighting and shadows to create a highly atmospheric experience, all without relying on ray tracing. This focus on artistic design and engine optimization contributes to a visually immersive experience, even if it comes with considerable hardware demands.
Specs Comparison Table (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Recommended vs. High-End 2025 System)
| Component | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Recommended) | High-End Gaming PC (Late 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 11 | Windows 11 |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-12700K / AMD Ryzen 7 5800X | Intel Core i9-14900K / AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D |
| Memory | 16 GB RAM | 32 GB DDR5 RAM |
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti 8 GB / AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT 16 GB | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Super 16 GB / AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX 24 GB |
| DirectX Version | Version 12 | Version 12 Ultimate |
| Storage | 55 GB SSD | 1 TB NVMe SSD |
| Target Performance | 1080p, 60 FPS, High Settings | 4K, 60+ FPS, Max Settings |
Expert Verdict
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Game of the Year triumph is a testament to its compelling narrative and innovative gameplay, but it also underscores the increasing demands of modern AAA titles on PC hardware. While the minimum specifications are relatively accessible, allowing a broader audience to experience the game, achieving the truly breathtaking visuals and smooth performance that earned it critical acclaim necessitates a mid-to-high-end gaming rig. The requirement for an SSD is non-negotiable, highlighting the industry's shift towards faster storage solutions for seamless gaming experiences. For those looking to fully appreciate the artistic and technical prowess of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, investing in a system that meets or exceeds the recommended specifications, particularly in the GPU and CPU departments, will provide the most immersive and enjoyable journey through its unique world. The game's reliance on DLSS and XeSS for performance scaling on compatible hardware further emphasizes the value of modern graphics cards with advanced upscaling capabilities.