Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 doesn’t hold your hand. Its world is open-ended, mysterious, and often punishing if you explore too far ahead. But that’s part of its beauty. You’re an Expeditioner, not a tourist — and mastering the terrain, bosses, and hidden zones is key to surviving the Paintress’ cursed world.
This full walkthrough and zone progression guide is designed to help you navigate the major story acts, optional areas, hidden bosses, and critical upgrades throughout your journey. Whether you’re stuck in Spring Meadows or unsure if you should enter the Red Woods, this guide lays it all out clearly.
Main Story Progression Overview
Expedition 33 is structured around three core acts and a Prologue, with increasingly difficult zones and narrative turns. Each location functions as a semi-linear dungeon or open-ended hub, often filled with:
- Boss encounters (mandatory and optional)
- Paint Cages and Petank puzzles
- Chromatic Nevrons (mini-bosses)
- Collectibles: Music Records, Expedition Journals, Pictos
The world expands as you progress, eventually unlocking fast travel, Esquie riding, swimming, and more.
Prologue: Lumière & The Gommage
Your introduction begins in the city of Lumière during the Gommage festival. Complete the initial tutorials, engage in duels (Maelle, Sophie), and collect:
- First Picto: Defeat Sophie in a duel.
- First Music Record: Defeat the Lumière Mime (optional but missable).
- Recoats and Chroma Catalyst: From Nicholas and the talking trash can.
Make sure to duel Maelle and win Antoine’s quiz to get an Old Key (used much later in Old Lumière).
Read More: Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Beginner Guide – Tips & Combat Basics
Act 1: Gustave’s Chapter
1. Spring Meadows
- Boss: Eveque
- Key Side Quest: Jar’s Light (enables light interactions)
- Chromatic Nevron: Chromatic Lancelier (great for Break practice)
Complete the zone to unlock access to the Flying Waters.
2. Flying Waters
- Boss: Goblu
- Side Quests: Demineur (finding the mine), Bourgeon giant
- Unlocks: Weapon upgrades, Tint crafting, first real camp
This is your first opportunity to truly build and modify your team.
3. Ancient Sanctuary
- Boss: Ultimate Sakapatate
- Side Content: Small Bourgeon Cave
- Item: Journal – Expedition 63
4. Gestral Village
- A large hub with:
- Arena Tournament (4 one-on-one fights)
- Chief Golgra duel (optional)
- Merchants (Critical Moment Picto, Demonam weapon)
5. Esquie’s Nest
- Boss: Francois
- Unlock: Ride Esquie for fast traversal and breaking blue rocks
- Lost Gestral: First one appears here; trade at Camp for bonuses
6. Stone Wave Cliffs
- Boss: Lampmaster
- Side Quests: Hexga, Chromatic Nevron in Stone Wave Cliffs Cave
- Unlock: Swimming and water-based travel
This is the final area before Act 2 begins.
Act 2: Verso Joins
Act 2 introduces Verso, a rogue-like character with “Perfection” stacking mechanics. The world becomes more non-linear now. Choose your path between the two Axon zones.
7. Forgotten Battlefield
- Boss: Dualliste
- Side Loot: Journals, Chromatic Luster Nevron
- Rest Points: Ancient Bridge
8. Monoco’s Station
- Boss: Stalact
- Unlock: Monoco joins party; Mask-based skill tree system
- Important: Battle Monoco first to unlock his skills
9. Old Lumière
- Boss: Renoir
- Unlocks: Gradient Counters, Maelle + Verso story arc
- Secrets: Use Old Key in sewer pipe for secret Journal
10. Visages (Axon Choice 1)
- Three paths (Joy, Sadness, Anger)
- Boss: Mask Keeper
- Unique: Puzzle-heavy with emotion-based trials
11. Sirène (Axon Choice 2)
- Boss: Sirène
- Optional Boss: Tisseur (drops Anti-Charm to weaken Sirène)
Complete both Axon zones to forge the weapon needed to enter the Monolith.
12. The Monolith
- Boss: The Paintress (3-phase fight)
- Unlock: Post-story zones
Post-Story & Endgame Zones
Once the Paintress is defeated, you unlock numerous optional areas with powerful rewards and extreme difficulty.
Post-Story Zones (Recommended Level: 50+)
- Sirène’s Dress (Lune’s relationship quest)
- Reacher (Maelle’s relationship quest)
- Endless Tower: Floor-by-floor gauntlet with huge rewards
- Frozen Heart: Elemental phase-switching Nevrons
- White Sands: Lore-rich music zone
- The Chosen Path: 1v1 battles per character, no reuse
Endgame Zones (Recommended Level: 75+)
- The Fountain: Outcome varies based on choices
- Flying Manor: Series of boss fights
- Painting Workshop: Lore-rich, enemy-dense
- Sunless Cliffs: Solo trials only
- Renoir’s Drafts: Hidden underwater area
- The Abyss: Hardest zone in the game
Optional Zones & Mini-Bosses (Scattered Throughout)
These areas don’t require progression but offer major upgrades and lore.
| Zone | Type | Reward/Challenge |
|---|---|---|
| Hidden Gestral Arena | Combat | 1v1 battles for combat-enhancing Pictos |
| Red Woods | Puzzle + Boss | Chromatic Nevron + Chroma puzzle |
| Twilight Quarry | Exploration | Rare music record |
| Lost Woods | Exploration | Puzzles and elite gear |
| Crushing Cavern | Combat Trap | Ambush + unstable terrain |
| Esoteric Ruins | Puzzle | Solve maze and help spirit |
| The Carousel | Puzzle/Combat | Restarting the ride grants weapon upgrade |
| Costal Cave | Challenge | Duel against weapon-smith Nevrons |
Quick Zone Progression Path (Suggested Order)
- Lumière (Prologue)
- Spring Meadows
- Flying Waters
- Ancient Sanctuary
- Gestral Village
- Esquie’s Nest
- Stone Wave Cliffs
- Forgotten Battlefield
- Monoco’s Station
- Old Lumière
- Visages & Sirène (order doesn’t matter)
- The Monolith
- Post-Story Zones (any order)
- Endgame Zones (challenge-dependent)
Final Tips for Exploration
- Don’t rush the main quest. Many power-ups are hidden in optional areas.
- Look up often. Paint Cage locks are usually above or hidden on ledges.
- Chroma Elixirs are precious — use them wisely or before major boss attempts.
- Use Petank puzzles to earn upgrade shards.
- Defeat merchants in duels for rare gear.
- Rest at flags regularly to refresh items and unlock fast travel.
Conclusion: Master the Map, Master the Mission
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 rewards players who explore deeply and prepare thoroughly. Each zone is hand-crafted with secrets, deadly foes, and artistic beauty. Knowing where to go and when makes all the difference in your survival.
Follow this Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Walkthrough and zone guide to plan your path, tackle tough challenges, and see everything the world of Expedition 33 has to offer. Whether you’re breaking Paint Cages or climbing the Endless Tower, you’re no longer lost — you’re leading the way. Play Now
