Turn based but with QTE elements

And you can even parry! In terms of parrying, for me it is harder and more satisfying than Sekiro's parry system(which was my number one game in terms of combat, now Clair Obscur has taken it's place).

How is it turn based when you get timed prompts to "press button not to die"?

How is hamburger not a salad when there are veggies in it?

Proportions matter.

When you select what action you want to do, the combat is paused and the game displays a menu.

Executing the action, dodging and parrying, and shooting ranged weapons all happen in real time.

It works really well in practice, combining both strategic and twitch gameplay.

Sounds a bit like Legend of Dragoon. I should play that game again some time, leaving it unfinished is a shame.

Oh wow thanks for the trip down memory lane. I guess some of the QTE elements do remind me of that and FF VIII limit breaks

Of course, if you like twitch gameplay, and if you can stomach twitch gameplay being labeled as "turn based".

I might agree with the former but I don't like false advertising.

I think the false advertising does great disservice to Clair Obscur. It turns off people who don’t like turn-based combat and ends up disappointing people who do like turn based combat. I very nearly bounced from what is a great game because it was not at all what I was expecting with respect to combat.

Clair Obscur’s combat would be better described as dodge and parry based as that is the primary mechanic. In terms of lineage, the combat is much closer to PunchOut than Final Fantasy 6.

It’s really fun if that is what you are expecting though.

Yes but their Steam page says:

"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a ground-breaking turn-based RPG with unique real-time mechanics, making battles more immersive and addictive than ever."

Turns out the real time mechanics aren't unique. Not sure I want "addictive" battles or "addictive" gameplay either. Isn't that the realm of free to play?

The game is only about 30 hours and has no micro transactions. It is addictive until you beat it. Easily game of the year.

I know what it is, i read the reviews and decided to skip based on QTEs [1] :)

I still don't understand how "addictive" is a positive term.

[1] To preempt some complaining, I haven't touched an Ubisoft or EA title in at least 10 years. So it's not like I'm an AAA "consumer" that skips the darling indies.

If I had to defend the term addictive- presumably the addiction goes away when you beat the 30 hour game.

So it's not addictive in the ongoing, problematic way that cocaine would be.

Setting aside the big argument on whether Clair Obscur counts as turn-based, Persona 5 definitely does: it's more classically/rigidly turn-based than even the Final Fantasy games that use ATB.

You do not have to Parry. You do not have to dodge. Most od the game you can tank and heal or resurect.

I don't think that's true. I played the game and without doing some serious level grinding, you take too much damage for it to be viable to ignore the dodge/parry mechanic.

There are multiple guides on Youtube for both normal and expert. In practice some grinding in the first area is helpful and some fights are RNG heavy, but the majority of the game is actually really well balanced for it, especially since you get Pictos/Luminas and weapons specifically designed for that playstyle.

Personally, I killed Simon on my second try by rebuilding my party to intentionally die to his attacks, proc some key Luminas and trigger the start of a high damage combo. The game rewards creative builds and lateral thinking.

I played the game twice. First on normal then normal on NG+. I suck at both, parry and dodge and was able to do beat everything beside simon. So I think it is not necessary but game is much easier if you can counter.