Clair Obscur’s expedition mottos perfectly capture its themes
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has earned recognition in Polygon’s recently published ranking of the 100 best video game quotes. Despite being relatively new to the gaming landscape compared to other titles on the list, the game made a notable showing with two quotes earning a place in the prestigious ranking. The most significant is the expeditioners’ motto “For those who come after,” which perfectly encapsulates the core themes of this narrative-driven experience.
The game’s story is heavily metatextual, exploring profound themes of grief and artistic creation while emphasizing perseverance against overwhelming odds. These thematic elements permeate the game’s dialogue, with characters frequently invoking motivational phrases that reinforce the narrative’s central message of determination and hope. Throughout the game, expeditioners repeatedly declare phrases such as “tomorrow comes” and “we continue,” serving as mantras that reflect the spirit of the journey.
The motto “For those who come after” particularly resonates with these themes, representing sacrifice and commitment to those who follow. While another character quote, Maelle’s enthusiastic “PARRY IT!”, was considered for inclusion, it ultimately did not make the final ranking of 100 best quotes.