Icl I’ve been playing clair obscur and it’s all that I can think about

CLAIR OBSCUR: EXPEDITION 33 (2025) dev. Sandfall Interactive

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33  • (dev. Sandfall Interactive)

CLAIR OBSCUR: EXPEDITION 33 (2025) dev. Sandfall Interactive

pov you’re about to take 33 million damage

Hot take maybe but I don’t think Clea actually blamed Alicia for the fire as much as we’re led to see. She definitely recognized Alicia as a partial cause and held certain grudge against her for it. She held Alicia accountable for her part but aware of her guilt and pain. But she got tough love from Aline. She got a degree of toxicity and passive-aggressive way of showing love like her mom but I think usually she was better than her, it was just that in the moment of cutscene she’s been dealing with grief and real world conflicts for a while now. She was distressed and the only waking member of her family was a living ghost.

She cared enough to want to make sure Alicia took care of herself while she was gone. And she indulged Alicia’s wish to be useful by sending her in canvas. I doubt she was expecting her sister to help their father. She probably just wanted to make sure she’s occupied and safe. You may say hey but the canvas wasn’t safe at all, very traumatic, and I agree. I personally believe that she was hoping for Renoir to take care of Alicia directly but that changed when she got reborn instead. So she at least still made sure painted Verso took care of her.

And what I think happened when she said things like “Lest you forget, the only reason those two are in there is because your naivety cost Verso his life” is that she was guilt-tripping Alicia into going in Canvas just so she would be out of trouble while Clea was elsewhere. I don’t think she would be the type to remind Alicia daily she’s responsible for Verso’s death, Aline on the other hand might. Just might, they’re in the worst of time of their lives that’s all. Clea is the probably the most realist out of them.

Clea even wanted Alicia to have fun. I know she was mean but I don’t think she could afford niceties lol. We know she could be nicer to Alicia in endless tower but you still can see that’s just how she talks, and it probably just gets meaner when she’s going through stuff. Not to excuse her cruel actions but she’s very flawed. She doesn’t spoil Alicia like Renoir nor too pressuring like Aline. And even if Clea said she wouldn’t do the same mistake as Verso should she get into that kind of situation again, I actually doubt it.

I just think she loved that Alicia lived and hated Verso had to die. She wanted them both to live. Both. She would never say I wish it was you who die to Alicia even in her worst moment. It might sound like me glazing her now but she would say stuff like if you would have been smarter and listened then Verso wouldn’t have died. Clea was closer to Verso but she cared and sympathize her younger sister in her own way. I like to believe that in a way Alicia needed a figure like Clea in life every once in a while. If she wants comfort and guidance she can go to Renoir. If she wants someone who could actually help whipping her into shape then it’s Clea. And if family therapy existed then, Aline and her would need a serious work together lol

I sometimes think half the Expedition players are kinda dense. Clea has always adored and loved her sister and it was right there on the surface the whole time. I just don’t get how most of the fandom sees it differently and this same part goes full hate-mode on Alicia in Act 3.

And for some reason almost everyone insists Alicia is 16 in real world too when there’s actual proof she’s older, the most obvious being the height difference with Maelle. And yeah in Act 3 she’s different, not just Maelle, because two lives literally fused inside her in minutes. So yes, Alicia kind of stopped being Maelle a little, but that’s because she knows for a fact that the Canvas can be painted any way she wants. We shouldn’t forget that the whole family got used to this since childhood. Plus, if Verso had given her the letter, who knows, maybe something would have changed.

I feel bad for Clea and Alicia and the completely undeserved hate they get. Meanwhile these people worship painted Verso who was out here lying at every single step. Bruh…

I love how just so complicated the sibling relationship is between Alicia and Clea. Like on the one hand, Clea is kind of like "don't bother, I'm handling everything", but then she does pay attention to Alicia when she comes up with a possible solution to tilt the balance in favor of Renoir to help get Aline out of the painting.

I think what we're seeing is Clea's anger at whoever attacked Alicia, but because she can't take it out on that person since she doesn't know who it is, we're seeing some of it leak out in the way she talks to Alicia - and that's realistic, to be honest. Someone can be upset at something and it's Not You, but they're still speaking in that Clipped Tight-lipped Manner that says "I'm mad".

Alicia's own guilt is interesting to look at too. It wasn't her fault someone took advantage of her, but she still feels like she needs to fix things somehow - and that's realistic, too.

I cannot wait for a DLC to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 or even a sequel because there is SO MUCH MORE we need to see about the world the Dessendre family lives in :D

expedition 33

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (dev. Sandfall Interactive)

Me @ myself: You don't draw Gustave enough. For shame.

Now I'm picturing it being like the beginning of Oliver and Company

That is exactly what I was imagining as I drew this, so glad someone clocked it. XD

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Never thought drawing Maelle-Alicia would be so hard... Using pure white and pure black in painting feels like a crime. And here she is, all black and white. I understand the artistic intent of the authors behind it, but... sorry girl, you'll have to become a little more colorful today haha

Maelle