Ever since its release, you'll often find the Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 community arguing which ending is the best. Before we dive into it even further, keep in mind that there will be major spoilers to the game’s ending. You’ve been warned.
For context, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has two different endings. The first choice is to side with Maelle, keeping her painted realm and bringing back the characters we’ve lost along the way (including Gustave). It almost feels like a happy ending if you look at it, but it comes at a great price, Verso or rather, the idea of Verso remains trapped in the painted world forever, forced to be a character in a decision he didn’t make.
Verso’s ending, on the other hand, may sound like a happier ending. His decision would result in the crumbling of the painted world. Forcing Maelle and the rest of the Dessendre family to go back to their reality and deal with their grief in a healthier way.
Some would argue that Verso deserves his fate if players decided to choose Maelle, but others would talk smack about that decision, saying that Maelle deserves to “touch grass” and get out of her perfect sanctuary in the painted world. Both endings aren’t “Good” in a sense, so it makes sense that players would feel the need to talk about the implications of their decisions the moment they hit credits.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s ending is so divisive that the conversations about which one is “canon” is still being talked about today. In a Lits Play podcast episode, lead writer Jennifer Sverberg-Yen of Sandfall Interactive talked about it, saying that there is “no correct ending” to the story. Nothing is canon and there is no definitive version that Sandfall Interactive considers true. “Both are heartbreaking in their own ways.” Jennifer added.
Thankfully, the podcast interview solidifies that there is really no point arguing with someone from a thousand miles away just to tell them your ending is the best. You could go on and on talking about philosophy and sunk-cost fallacies with someone, but it wouldn’t even make a dent to their worldview, as their ending is considered “perfect.”
Despite all that fluff, it’s hard not to congratulate Sandfall Interactive for creating an ending that many people will still talk about in the years to come. It will definitely join the ranks of harrowing ending choices similar to what Naughty Dog did with Abby and Ellie’s story in The Last of Us Part 2, which to this day, people are still talking about (and often results in heated debates).
Even if you don't enjoy it, the game itself is incredibly rewarding, and Sanfall is already cooking up new free DLC that includes a new locale and more boss fights.
You can check out the full podcast episode below and hear more from Jennifer Svedberg-Yen explaining Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s themes.
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