When Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won nine Game of the Year awards in 2025, it reminded players why turn-based RPGs can still feel fresh. The game combined stylish combat with deep character relationships, philosophical storytelling, and a world that rewarded exploration. Every choice mattered, every character arc had weight, and the blend of strategy and narrative kept players hooked through multiple playthroughs.
Since then, many players have been asking the same question: what do we play next?
This list answers that. Below are 15 games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 that focus on narrative-driven RPGs, strategic combat, character relationships, and atmospheric storytelling. Some lean into pure turn-based systems, some mix action and strategy, and others experiment with new combat styles—but all of them deliver compelling stories and memorable characters.
Quick Comparison: Top 5 Picks
| Game | Core Similarity | Best For |
| Persona 5 Royal | Turn-based + character bonds | Story + strategy players |
| Final Fantasy VII Remake | Hybrid combat + narrative | Action-RPG fans |
| NieR: Automata | Emotional storytelling | Philosophical themes |
| Tales of Arise | Party-based action RPG | Character-driven plots |
| Dragon’s Dogma 2 | Party exploration | Open-world RPG fans |
1. Persona 5 Royal
Why it’s similar
Persona 5 Royal uses turn-based combat with stylish presentation and builds deep character relationships through social systems, similar to Clair Obscur’s narrative focus.
What makes it unique
Its dual structure splits time between dungeon crawling and daily life simulation, forcing you to manage relationships alongside combat preparation.
Key features:
- Turn-based strategic combat
- Character relationship systems
- 100+ hour story campaign
Price: ~$59.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
2. Final Fantasy VII Remake
Why it’s similar
Final Fantasy VII Remake combines strategic depth with real-time combat and focuses heavily on character-driven storytelling.
What makes it unique
Its hybrid combat system lets you pause for tactical decisions while maintaining action-game pacing.
Key features:
- Hybrid combat (action + strategy)
- Party-based progression
- Reimagined classic story
Price: ~$69.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5
3. NieR: Automata
Why it’s similar
NieR: Automata delivers emotional storytelling with philosophical themes and multiple narrative perspectives, similar to Clair Obscur’s depth.
What makes it unique
Its structure requires multiple playthroughs to understand the complete story, with each run revealing new perspectives.
Key features:
- Action combat with RPG systems
- Multiple story routes
- Philosophical narrative themes
Price: ~$39.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
4. Tales of Arise
Why it’s similar
Tales of Arise features party-based combat and character-focused storytelling with anime-style presentation.
What makes it unique
Its linear combat system emphasizes timing and combo execution over turn-based strategy.
Key features:
- Real-time party combat
- Character relationship skits
- Anime-inspired storytelling
Price: ~$59.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
5. Dragon’s Dogma 2
Why it’s similar
Dragon’s Dogma 2 builds party dynamics through AI companions and focuses on exploration-driven progression.
What makes it unique
Your AI companions (Pawns) learn from your playstyle and can be shared with other players, creating emergent gameplay.
Key features:
- Dynamic party AI system
- Open-world exploration
- Action-RPG combat
Price: ~$69.99 | Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
6. Final Fantasy XVI
Why it’s similar
Final Fantasy XVI combines cinematic storytelling with character-driven narratives and real-time combat systems.
What makes it unique
Its combat focuses on spectacle—summon battles scale to kaiju-sized encounters with environmental destruction.
Key features:
- Real-time action combat
- Cinematic story presentation
- Epic summon battles
Price: ~$69.99 | Platforms: PC, PS5
7. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Why it’s similar
The Witcher 3 delivers narrative-heavy RPG gameplay with meaningful choices and deep world-building.
What makes it unique
Its branching storylines create dramatically different outcomes based on seemingly minor decisions throughout the game.
Key features:
- Choice-driven narrative
- Open-world exploration
- Monster hunting combat
Price: ~$39.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
8. Elden Ring
Why it’s similar
Elden Ring offers exploration-driven progression and challenging combat in a dark fantasy setting.
What makes it unique
Its open-world structure lets you tackle challenges in almost any order, breaking from traditional RPG linearity.
Key features:
- Open-world exploration
- Challenging tactical combat
- Environmental storytelling
Price: ~$59.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
9. Bloodborne
Why it’s similar
Bloodborne features atmospheric storytelling and fast-paced combat in a dark Victorian setting.
What makes it unique
Its aggressive combat system rewards offensive play over defensive tactics, encouraging risk-taking.
Key features:
- Fast-paced combat
- Gothic horror atmosphere
- Environmental narrative
Price: ~$19.99 | Platforms: PS4, PS5
10. Scarlet Nexus
Why it’s similar
Scarlet Nexus combines stylish combat with dual character storylines and narrative-driven progression.
What makes it unique
Playing both protagonists reveals different perspectives on the same events, creating a complete narrative picture.
Key features:
- Dual protagonist stories
- Psychic-powered combat
- Anime-style presentation
Price: ~$59.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
11. Code Vein
Why it’s similar
Code Vein blends challenging combat with party-based systems and companion relationships.
What makes it unique
Its anime aesthetic and customizable AI partner create a more accessible take on souls-like combat.
Key features:
- Souls-like combat mechanics
- Party companion system
- Character customization
Price: ~$49.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
12. GreedFall
Why it’s similar
GreedFall focuses on story choices, companion relationships, and dialogue-driven progression.
What makes it unique
Its 17th-century colonial setting creates a unique backdrop for fantasy storytelling rarely explored in RPGs.
Key features:
- Choice-driven narrative
- Companion relationship systems
- Unique historical fantasy setting
Price: ~$49.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
13. Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Why it’s similar
Kingdom Come: Deliverance delivers immersive storytelling with realistic RPG systems and world-building.
What makes it unique
Its commitment to historical accuracy creates a grounded medieval experience without fantasy elements.
Key features:
- Realistic combat systems
- Historical accuracy
- Immersive world-building
Price: ~$29.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
14. Horizon Forbidden West
Why it’s similar
Horizon Forbidden West combines cinematic storytelling with action combat and a strong protagonist-driven narrative.
What makes it unique
Its post-apocalyptic setting blends tribal cultures with advanced technology, creating a unique visual identity.
Key features:
- Cinematic story presentation
- Action-RPG combat
- Open-world exploration
Price: ~$69.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5
15. Dark Souls III
Why it’s similar
Dark Souls III emphasizes challenging combat, exploration, and environmental storytelling in a dark fantasy world.
What makes it unique
Its interconnected world design rewards exploration with shortcuts and hidden areas that loop back on themselves.
Key features:
- Challenging tactical combat
- Environmental narrative
- Interconnected world design
Price: ~$59.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Full Comparison Table
| Game | Price | Platforms | Best For |
| Persona 5 Royal | ~$59.99 | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch | Turn-based + story |
| Final Fantasy VII Remake | ~$69.99 | PC, PS4, PS5 | Hybrid combat |
| NieR: Automata | ~$39.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch | Philosophical stories |
| Tales of Arise | ~$59.99 | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox | Party action RPG |
| Dragon’s Dogma 2 | ~$69.99 | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S | Open exploration |
| Final Fantasy XVI | ~$69.99 | PC, PS5 | Cinematic action |
| The Witcher 3 | ~$39.99 | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch | Choice-driven RPG |
| Elden Ring | ~$59.99 | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox | Open-world challenge |
| Bloodborne | ~$19.99 | PS4, PS5 | Fast combat |
| Scarlet Nexus | ~$59.99 | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox | Dual storylines |
| Code Vein | ~$49.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox One | Anime souls-like |
| GreedFall | ~$49.99 | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox | Story choices |
| Kingdom Come | ~$29.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch | Realistic RPG |
| Horizon Forbidden West | ~$69.99 | PC, PS4, PS5 | Cinematic action |
| Dark Souls III | ~$59.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox One | Challenging combat |
Conclusion: What to Play First
If you loved Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, start with Persona 5 Royal, Final Fantasy VII Remake, or NieR: Automata. Those three best capture the narrative depth, character relationships, and strategic gameplay. Players who want challenging combat should try Elden Ring or Bloodborne, while open-world fans will enjoy The Witcher 3 or Dragon’s Dogma 2.
No matter which you choose, every game on this list delivers compelling storytelling and memorable characters. If you have a favorite that belongs here, drop it in the comments.
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