Summary
If turn-based games are dead, as some press junkets published, they’re dying hard, asClair Obscur: Expedition 33has become a smash hit with fans and critics alike. Its unique Belle Époque setting and mix of turn-based combat with real-time elements (e.g. ranged attacks) made it the best thing to come out of France since Audrey Tautou.
The player’s party, the titular Expedition 33, is sent out to prevent a being called the Paintress from wiping out all people above a certain age in a process called ‘the Gommage.’ Lune is the team’s scholar and mage, who can gain new outfits from getting certain endings, beating side quests, or completing various objectives. But which ones are worth the effort to wear? Here are some recommendations.
7Civilian
Casual But Stylish
Starting off with a simple one, Lune’s version of the Civilian outfit has more style to it than Gustave’s take on the costume, but not as much as Maelle’s or Monoco’s. The big beast gets a fancy button-up jacket, but Lune only gets to thrill with frills. Though, just because it’s simple doesn’t mean it can’t be stylish. All the outfits are cosmetic, so players can tinker with the party’s looks however they like without affecting their builds.
The frilly shirt does fit Lune well, making her feel right at home in the era. If she wasn’t casting against Brulers and Sakapatates in these threads, she’d look like she was resting in her downtime in the background of a Degas painting, or passing through a passage in an Émile Zola novel. That, or she’d be forming a trio withRE4 Remake’s Leon and Ashleyin their Romantic outfits, which look quite similar.
6Swimsuit 1
Nice Day For A Swim
Still, for one reason or another, players might want to try and saveClair Obscur’s world while looking more ready to swim off the island at La Grande Jatte. All members of Expedition 33 get to wear some old-timey swimming costumes, with Lune and Sciel having two identical ones each: a two-piece with black stripes and a one-piece with red stripes.
For Lune,Swimsuit 1’s narrow pinstripes also give it some style, compared to the one-piece’s bolder horizontal red stripes, which contrast next to Gustave and Verso’s similar horizontal blue stripes. Also, the two-piece is more flattering, as, while it shows off more skin, it looks comfier to wear than the one-piece, to put it politely. Though, both are rather modest comparedto swimsuits in other games.
5Sirene
Lure Enemies Into Certain Doom
Sireneis one of the game’s bigger bosses who, as the name suggests, sings an alluring song that attracts different minions to her side during her battle. Though, with its belt and bands, their outfit seems more Asian-inspired than Greek, as it looks like it should be threatening the cast ofJourney to the Westrather than the 33rd Expedition.
Both Lune and Sciel get Sirene’s threads, which look nice enough with their mix of red, yellow and green colors. But Lune is the only one who gets her hair too, giving her a complete ensemble. With her arcane threads, gravity-defying hair, and floating movement, it really gives her a mystical, magic air. It also plays a part in her relationship side quest, so if players want to get closer to Lune, they should look out for this outfit.
4Expedition / Pure
It Doesn’t Matter if They’re Black or White
These two outfits double up, as thePureoutfit is just theExpeditionone in white, and the latter is just her default costume. Both have the missing sleeve with bandage, and have gold accents. They’re just in different places on the Pure outfit, which offers gold jacket lapels and pockets, over the Expedition’s gold shirt lapels and shoulder designs. Both make her look like a fancy 19th century adventurer from a Jules Verne novel.
They also offer a more modern, artistic flair to provide more flash than the usual maudlin Victorian affairs. For example, while her ensemble would look more complete if she wore shoes, she goes barefoot to aid her magic (her other outfits have footwear, but they’re not canon, so they don’t count). So, she has chroma marks on her legs to help them stand out instead.
3Baguette
To Look Truly Like Le Enfant De La Patrie
If people didn’t knowClair Obscur: Expedition 33was a French product, theBaguetteoutfits would give the game away. It essentially dresses the cast upas French stereotypes, with blue striped shirts, red neckerchiefs, berets, and a baguette on the back. Sadly, it doesn’t come with wreathes of onions or neatly held cigarettes (Sandfall Interactive has to save something for the sequel, after all).
Jokes aside, while they may be in the game to elicit a few ha-has (or hon-hons), they actually do look rather snazzy — even if they’re more 1960s Nouvelle Vague than 1880s steampunk. More Jean-Luc Godard than Victor Hugo — especially in Lune’s case, as her Baguette hairstyle gives her bold, red-rimmed sunglasses that go very well with her red beret and neckerchief. With the right lighting and filters, she’d look like she came off of a classic French movie poster.
2Flowers Suit / Gommage Suit
When The Saints Go Marching In
TheFlowers SuitandGommageSuit are another double-up option as they’re also the same outfit in different colors. That, and they’re DLC that came with the game’s Deluxe and Collector’s Editions. Players can upgrade to the former for $10.99, if they fancy the extra cosmetics. It’s tempting, as these extra outfits do look nice. Particularly for Lune, as it ramps up the artistic flair to something more flamboyant and bandmaster-like.
The Flowers Suit especially stands out with its white, gold, and red color scheme, but the Gommage Suit offers something more toned down with its black, white, and gold tones. So, there’s something for those who want to adventure in bright, bold style, or in understated elegance. Though, if they want Lune and the Expedition to look more Sgt Pepper than John Philip Sousa, they might have to wait and see whatthe modders can produce.
1Danseuse
Float Into The Fight
Dressing up as the Sirene is one thing, yet they’re outdripped by one of the standard enemies in theDanseuse. They flit around like ghosts, glowing in an ethereal aura that shines through their translucent robes — which Lune and Sciel can both get for themselves, too. While they look nice enough on the latter, they look better on the former.
This might be why players only need to buy Sciel’s outfit from Verogo the Merchant in Frozen Plains, while Lune’s outfit is locked behind a challenge. They really make her look more like a spirit from another realm, rather than someone dressed up as one — especially when her aura starts glowing, making her look more powerful. Good thing it’s cosmetic, as the Danseuse’s aura usually telegraphs their weakness.
