Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 had been a hit in the video game industry since its release, and rightfully so. The game boasts a phenomenal cast of characters and a storyline that packs a powerful punch. Since the majority of players are most likely at the end of the game or perhaps even finished, which of the Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 endings is the better option?

There are two endings that you can get, depending on who you choose. You can either go with Verso and fight Maelle, or the other way around. Of course, there are the consequences of these choices, and they’re not the easiest to take. Going into Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and continuing with that journey, players already knew that it was going to be emotional.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Is Verso’s ending really better?

Throughout the game, it’s evident that we’ll be dealing with heavy topics such as grief. Right off the bat, we are introduced to characters such as Sophie, whom we barely get to know due to the Gommage. We see the effects that the phenomenon has on the people of Lumiere, and we cling to their hopes for eliminating the Paintress and achieving a better life.

We get to play as Gustave and meet various members of the Expedition throughout our journey. To me, this makes us attached to Lune, Sciel, Maelle, Monoco, Esquie, and Noco. We get to know them, their life and struggles. Even as we play Verso, we get a better view of these characters’ lives. I believe this makes things more complicated for us during the final fight, particularly when choosing between Verso and Maelle.

Many believe that choosing Verso‘s ending is the best choice, and while I agree to some extent, it’s still up for debate. Picking Verso means that you’ll finally free the real Verso‘s soul, and a chance for Alicia to face her grief and guilt finally. To live in her real time and place.

But then again, you’ll remember how there are beings inside the paintings as well — beings who we can consider “real,” with their own ambitions and dreams. We spent all of our time in this painted world, and you can’t convince everyone that those people we met aren’t real. This, perhaps, is the most heartwrenching part of the choice.

Since Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, there’s no right or wrong choice between the two. I believe that Verso’s ending is still morally just and ultimately allows the family to grieve. Perhaps being in the painting will drive Alicia to madness, and won’t let her face her grief. Hopefully, she’ll find peace within herself over time.