Which Difficulty Setting Should You Choose in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?

Image Credits: Sandfall Interactive

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide what difficulty setting to play on in Expedition 33.

All Difficulty Settings Explained

Story Mode

• Enemies hit like they're politely asking you to lose.

• Dodging and parrying? Much easier—basically a training session.

• Perfect if you're here for the vibes, the story, or just don’t feel like sweating over every fight.

Expedition Mode

• Standard damage from enemies.

• Dodging and parrying is encouraged but forgiving enough if you mess up now and then.

• This is the "intended" experience for most players—challenging but fair.

Expert Mode

• Enemies hit like a freight train.

• Dodging and parrying isn’t just helpful—it’s survival.

• Best for players who think "fun" means restarting boss fights 12 times.

Best Difficulty Setting for You

New to the Game?
Go with Story Mode.
This mode is great if you’re still figuring out how to time your dodges without rolling straight into enemy attacks. Also ideal if you're here to enjoy the world without being constantly reminded of your reflexes—or lack thereof.

Looking for a Balanced Challenge?
Pick Expedition Mode.
This is for players who want the full experience—tough but not punishing. You’ll need to learn enemy patterns, but you won’t rage-quit after every encounter.

Feeling Brave (or Reckless)?
Choose Expert Mode.
If you think parrying is second nature and you laugh in the face of danger, this is for you. Just remember: one wrong move, and it’s back to the loading screen.

Can You Change Difficulty Later?

Yes, you can switch difficulty anytime outside of battle. Just pause the game, head to Settings > Gameplay, and adjust as needed. So if Expert Mode humbles you faster than expected, no shame in dialing it back.

Final Blurb

Whether you want a relaxing stroll through a beautiful RPG or a gauntlet of perfectly-timed dodges, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has a difficulty setting for you. Start where you’re comfortable—no one’s handing out medals for unnecessary suffering. Unless you're into that, then by all means, crank it up to Expert and enjoy the chaos.

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