Expedition 33: All endings

The story is one of the most important aspects of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The unequal clash with a mysterious painter is a gripping and captivating story. The same goes for the story's climax. On this guide page, you will find out how many endings there are in the game, what choices affect the final sequence, and which of the epilogues can be considered the best one.

• Which decisions affect the ending?
• Verso's ending
• Maelle's ending
• Which ending is the best?
• How to see both endings?

Which decisions affect the ending?

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has two endings. They differ drastically in of implications and consequences for the world presented in the game.

The outcome is essentially influenced by only one decision. After the fight with Renoire and returning to Lumiere, Verso and Maelle will argue about what the future of the canvas, the painted world, and the heroes themselves should be. At this point, you can decide whose side you will take - by choosing one of the characters, a duel with the other character will begin. If you manage to win, one of two endings awaits you.

Verso's ending

If you choose to fight as Verso and you win, Maelle will dissolve and return to the real world (as Alicia). Gommage also reaches the rest of the team : Lune, Sciel, Monoco and Esquie. The memory of the deceased Verso, living in the Canvas world, can finally find peace and move towards eternity.

In the epilogue, you will see the entire Dessendre family standing over Verso's grave. Maelle (now as Alicia) is hugging the Esquie mascot in her arms. The family is slowly beginning to work through the trauma and grief. In the background, for the last time, we see all the heroes of Expedition 33 waving towards the heroine.

Maelle's ending

If you choose to fight as Maelle and win, Verso will make a desperate plea for the last time, begging you to abandon the Canvas and let him leave. However, his requests fall on deaf ears.

In the epilogue, we see Lumiere freed from the power of the Paintress. All the story characters meet up in the opera, including those who died earlier. Gustave, Sophie, and Sciel's husband are among the ones sitting in the audience. Verso comes onto the stage with slight reluctance, and after a short moment, he begins to play. Fragments of paint appear on Maelle's face, which may symbolize that she is not entirely sure of the decision she has made.

Which ending is the best?

The endings in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 elude a simple distinction between a good and a bad one. Both endings are bitter in their essence and always leave behind a certain degree of suffering.

1. In the Verso's ending, most of the characters and the world we have gotten used to, cease to exist. Alicia herself is also forced to return to the harsh reality. The Dessendre family, however, comes to with the difficult situation and begins the process of working through the trauma and despair after the loss of Verso, whose soul can finally find peace.
2. In the Maelle's ending, the heroes theoretically achieve their goal - Gommage is stopped, and all the deceased heroes come back to life. Maelle, however, is aware that she still remains in the world of illusion, and Verso himself is deprived of freedom and agency.

The question of which ending is the "better" one is left to the player's own interpretation.

How to see both endings?

If you want to see both endings, after watching one of them, quickly return to the main menu and select the option to load one of the previous saves. You have to choose the save from before the final choice.

If you choose the option to continue and start performing post-game activities, the automatic save system will quickly overwrite your saves and you will lose the ability to return to the point before the last choice.

See also:

1. Game guide
2. How to respec?
3. What is the maximum character level?
4. Is there New Game Plus?

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

April 24, 2025

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