Clair Obscur: Expedition 33is packed full of incredible dialogue and dynamic, fully developed characters with some of the most authentic writing you’re likely to experience in modern RPGs. I’ve spent over 350 hours now playingClair Obscurand completed five full play-throughs, and every time I get to one particular line of dialogue, it always gives me pause.
The following article discusses sensitive topics that might be triggering for some readers, including suicide and self-harm.
The line occurs during one ofSciel and Verso’s romanceconversations, which are part of my favorite relationship in the game. Sciel and Verso spend a lot of time getting to know one another at camp, and reveal some of their deepest secrets to one another. These conversations are ultimately how we learn about Pierre, Sciel’s deceased husband, as well as the various tragedies Sciel has experienced in her life.
Sciel & Verso’s Relationship Takes Us Down A Dark Path
Verso Wants Something More From Sciel Than She’s Willing To Give
Sciel reveals to Verso some of her deepest and darkest secrets, which is actually the entirepremise of their relationshipto begin with. Each time you interact with Sciel at camp, shepresses Verso to reveal"dark and personal"details about his life,and in turn, she revealsequally heartbreaking detailsabout herself. A romantic relationship also develops in these exchanges, albeit one that’s somewhat rooted in the characters' physical needs.
After learning about the loss of her husband, Pierre, and having a back-and-forth that more or lessconfirms that Sciel intends for this relationship to remain a “fling,“Verso then presses Sciel about having something more serious. In a line that has always struck me as odd, Verso asks,“Is there a future where I might… compete… in the same event?”
Why Verso’s Question Seems Off
This Line Of Dialogue Feels Out Of Character & Awkward
Verso’s question about a future with Sciel seems largely out of character in my view, especially given the larger context as well as the immediate surrounding dialogue. Sciel makes it clear directly before this that Verso and Pierre are not “competing” with one another from her perspective, andalso that Pierre was the love of her life and cannot be replaced.
Verso’s choice of phrasing regarding the future seems especially odd considering what he knows about the nature of their existence.
Verso’s choice of phrasing regarding the future seems especially odd considering what he knows about the nature of their existence and what “the future” really entails inside The Canvas. Further, the line has always felt out of character to me,making Verso appear somewhat needy and desperate, not to mention oblivious to the message Sciel is trying to convey to him without turning him down blatantly.
There are very few lines in this game that I feel don’t fit with the situation or character, but this is one example of a line of dialogue that doesn’t sit well with me. This line reads as though Verso can’t take a hint, and it’s one of the few lines inClair Obscur: Expedition 33that I think does a slight disservice to Verso as a character.
