Charlie Cox Finally Tries Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sort Of)

It is no surprise that Charlie Cox has finally played Clair Obscur: Expedition 33—a bit. While the actor admits he hasn't tackled the entire 45-hour JRPG, his experience offers a fascinating glimpse into balancing voice work with gaming obligations. For those keeping score, Cox voices Gustave in the title but notes that diving deep into such a complex narrative might not be for everyone. The game features a "frankly quite divisive ending," which adds weight to the decision of whether to invest dozens of hours while maintaining physical fitness for roles like Daredevil.

A Casual Journey Through the Opening Bit

In a recent interview with GamesRadar, Cox revealed that he has indeed started his journey within Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, though he qualified the extent of his playtime. He admitted to the press, "Not the whole thing," and clarified, "I haven't completed it." Instead, he focused on the game's impressive introductory area, where players can explore, interact with characters, and gather essential information without feeling overwhelmed by the full scope of the story.

Cox described his approach as somewhat tentative: "I've played the opening bit for a while and kind of walked around and met the people and garnered the information and all that kind of stuff. Not very well." Despite not being a completionist, he highlighted how Clair Obscur differs significantly from the games of his youth. He contrasted the current experience with classics like Goldeneye, Mario Kart, and FIFA 98.

Cox noted: "They weren't, like, stories that were so carefully carved out and created over the course of a game with the level of detail and the way in which information is received." He appreciated that the narrative isn't simply spelled out for the player; rather, players discover details organically as they progress. This method of storytelling creates a unique immersion that stands apart from the more straightforward design of 90s titles.

The Uncanny Experience of Voicing Your Avatar

Playing a game where you provide the voice for a main character can be a surreal experience, but Cox managed to keep his perspective grounded. When discussing the uncanny feeling of interacting with his own creation, he stated, "It didn't really feel like me... I didn't really think of it as me, I thought of it as Gustave." This separation allowed him to engage with the gameplay mechanics without getting lost in the ego of being a voice actor.

However, the sheer scale of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 seems to have dissuaded Cox from aiming for full completion status soon. He expressed incredulity regarding players who have managed to 100% the game, noting that "there are people who've played it, there are people who've completed it."

According to his calculations, reaching that perfect score requires a massive time investment:

  • 50-plus hours of gameplay for some.
  • Up to 100 hours for others tackling every detail.

Cox concluded with a sensible observation on the commitment required: "Honestly, that is too much." While he hasn't ruled out returning to the world of Clair Obscur, it seems unlikely we will see him collecting all achievements anytime soon. For now, the actor remains content having experienced just enough of Gustave's tale to appreciate its craftsmanship without drowning in the pit of achievement hunting.