10 Games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 that helped influence its timing focused turn-based battles

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It also has an incredible battle system that mixes slick strategy with skill-based timing inputs for power-us and parries.

It’s drawing from, and evolving on, a fantastic legacy!

Games like Clair Obscur Expedition 33: Lune prepares to battle in Clair Obscur Expedition 33, showcasing the swish battle menus for the games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 list

Other contemporaries, like Vagrant Story, have similar systems.

Who could imagine a series with quick fights turning the pace right down?

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is similar, though better telegraphs its prompts.

Dart, Rose, and Meru battle a boss in The Legend of Dragoon, in a screenshots from the PS5/PS4 release - one of many games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

However, the snappiness of the series' combat systems do mean there are similarities between the two.

Specifically in how Atelier Ryza revolves around building up strength over time with its Tactics Levels.

And, in some ways, for good reason its fights are justsounique.

Dressed as a breackdancer, Ichiban Kasuga attacks a group with a sweeping dance attack that knocks them all out instantly in Yakuza: Like a Dragon - one of many games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 thankfully has more accommodations, but it’s just as important.

But, unlike the others in its genre, it takes more cues from the likes of FromSoftware’sSekiroin execution.

Likewise, you’re not just reducing damage, butcompletelynegating it.

Mario blocks an attack from a giant spider in Super Mario RPG, while Mallow and Geno are ready to fight next to him - one of many games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Now look at Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Then back toPersona 5.

Then back to me.

Yuri selects the attack option in Shadow Hearts, previewing the Judgement Ring that must be passed to succeed - one of many games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Learn more in ourPersona 5 reviewwhere we said it has “style for miles”

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Check out ourbest games of 2025list for more to play!

Looking for a different RPG flavor?

Lent prepares a strong sword attack with a Tactics Level of 5 in Atelier Ryza, with Tao and Ryza backing him up - one of many games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33