I’ve been a fan of turn-based video games for as long as I can remember. I believe the original Final Fantasy 7 was my first taste into this style of game and I’ve loved it ever since.
There’s been some incredible turn-base games for me. XCOM 2, Midnight Suns, Lost Odyssey but it’s the several Final Fantasy titles that have a special place in my heart. I even loved the South Park games because of it.
Understandably, turn-based isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, and that’s okay. It’s a preference, but I hate the fact that there aren’t many developers who have the bravery to continue with this. Even Final Fantasy has turned away from this style of combat. Some people may believe it’s for the better, but I miss the old style in all honesty.
This is where Expedition 33 comes in. Now, truthfully, I had never even heard of this game. It was one night I was gaming with my younger brother, and he mentioned it. I didn’t even need to look at trailers or gameplay to buy it. I took my brother’s recommendation and ran with it because I’ve been desperate to play a NEW turn-based game for a long time.
This game has well and truly blown me away. I haven’t even finished the game yet, but it wouldn’t be understated to say it’s one of the best turn-based games I’ve had the pleasure of playing.
The combat is difficult because you have to time attacks and also time your defence. You can dodge, parry, and jump in a nutshell, which are important. If you mistime anything or don’t defend, you can find yourself on the losing end very quickly. It’s what makes the combat so engaging.
The fact that we have multiple playable characters with a max team of 3 (with a reserve team if you lose), all have very different playstyles, adds to the longevity of the experience. Each character can play so differently depending on the build you go for. It makes it satisfying when you experiment with something, and it pays off. This game offers that. You can change skills, add pictos, lumina, choose different weapons, and customize their outfits to your liking. You can also upgrade weapons and add more lumina to give more pictos in battle. It’s incredible.
Even still, you put the combat and the skillsets aside, and you have one hell of a story. It took me around 30 minutes to understand what was actually happening. Of course, that’s my fault as I did no research before dropping £44.99 on the game on the PS5.
In a nutshell, the Paintress every year makes her mark. She paints a new number. When we start the game, it’s set at the number 34. When she paints the next number, which in this case is 33, everyone who’s aged that dies. It happens every year. Expeditions each year go out to fight, but they all lose due to Nevron’s and other nasty creatures killing every single team.
That’s how we meet our first 2 heroes. Gustave and Maelle. It doesn’t take long before it takes a gigantic turn when the Expedition finally leaves Lumiere. The story sets a tone of what it’s going to be moving forward, and it’s not one of joy. It’s one of grief, hope, and revenge. It’s beautiful, and it pulls you in so quickly.
I hate the fact that I have to work a full time job otherwise I wouldn’t move away from this. I am yet to finish the game but I believe I’m close. I’m already looking forward to a new game+ save to go through it again but this time, with the knowledge I’ve obtained through my first and true playthrough.
Massive shoutout to the music in the game as well. Beyond close to downloading or buying the soundtrack album for the next time I need to go on a long drive.
The game has been an experience I don’t think I’ll forget. The fact I paid only £44.99 for this when AAA games are close to £70 is a travesty. This is perhaps the best game I’ve played in 2025 so far. I know the game’s free for Xbox Games Pass users and I encourage anybody with this to give the game a shot. It’s so good.
I’ll wrap this article up now as it’s currently 11:13pm at the time of writing and I’d ideally like to get another hour in before I go to bed.
For anyone who’s a fan of turn-based games and enjoyed this, please drop other recommendations in the comments so I can have a look at them, it’ll be much appreciated.
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