Which Ending Should You Choose in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Most of us are no strangers to making difficult decisions—and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the debut title from Sandfall, captures this reality with striking clarity especially when the narrative comes to a close. At first, the story’s mission is as straightforward as it gets: defeating the Paintress to stop her from erasing everyone from existence. However, by the time we reach Act 3, we know the truth about how the tragedy of the Dessendre family puts the Canvas and its denizens at risk.

After you’ve defeated Renoir and expelled him from the Canvas, you’re confronted with making the ultimate choice regarding the fate of the world contained within it. The game presents it to you by either taking Maelle’s or Verso’s side, but each choice bears a heavy cost. So which ending should you choose in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?

Maelle’s Ending

Unlike Verso, Maelle (or Alicia) is determined to save the Canvas and kick Renoir out in order to do so. Due to Maelle’s refusal to leave the Canvas, she and Verso clash. If you side with Maelle, Verso begs to be allowed to die. However, because Alicia still feels that she’s to blame for Verso’s death and unable to let go of any remnant of her brother, she refuses to do as he asked.

In the end, we see the people of Lumière repainted into the Canvas and ushered into the city’s Opera House. We see Monoco and Esquie welcoming them in for Verso’s concert; Sciel reunite with her husband; Gustave and Sophie are restored and reunited. We also see Lune, seemingly happy and content, sitting beside Maelle in the Opera House.

When Verso appears, he has aged significantly, indicating that Maelle has removed his immortality. However, things get really dark when we get a nightmarish snapshot of Maelle’s face, signalling to us that she’s inevitably lost herself to the Canvas, and is almost entirely consumed by it.

Furthermore, Verso hesitates to play the piano and start the concert. It’s nonetheless implied that he has no choice but to do so, as Maelle is controlling him.

The Consequences

Alicia surrenders to the Canvas, preferring to stay in this fantasy world rather than face her new reality and her family in the real world. She essentially becomes the new goddess of the Canvas; however, not all is sunshine and rainbows. Since Alicia’s real body is gradually dying the longer she stays in the Canvas, it’s inevitable that Renoir would return to toss her out of the Canvas as he tried to do with Aline. Alicia would most likely fight back, which could further damage the Canvas and result in another Gommage starting back up again.

The upside to this ending is that we save the lives of those in the Canvas, yet Alicia’s choice to remain only delays the inevitable and doesn’t actually stop the cycle of suffering. Painted Verso is forced to remain and do her bidding as she refuses to let go of her brother’s memory.

Verso’s Ending

Ever since he was introduced at the end of Act 1, Verso (or Painted Verso, to be more accurate) has never hidden the fact that he wanted to die. Made immortal by the Paintress out of grief due to losing the real Verso, this Verso once believed the painted world and its denizens deserved to live, only to change his mind at some point in the past 67 years.

He believes that the Canvas is the equivalent of an addictive drug for the Dessendres – particularly Aline and Alicia – and that it would be best to destroy the Canvas to save his family. He chooses this route because he doesn’t believe Aline or Alicia can control themselves from going back into the Canvas and restarting the chaotic cycle that’s caused everyone so much pain.

Verso’s decision is cemented when he sees the dangerous consequences of staying in the Canvas for too long, as well as the fact that Alicia lied to Renoir about leaving the Canvas. Siding with Verso results in Alicia being kicked out of the Canvas, followed by the erasure of our party members and presumably the rest of the Canvas. Painted Verso and the soul of the real Verso dissolve into petals, and are finally allowed to rest.

The Consequences

In the aftermath, Alicia and the rest of her family gather to mourn Verso. We also see Alicia essentially saying goodbye to her life as Maelle and her friends in the Canvas. Of course, the clearest consequence of choosing Verso’s side is the destruction of all life in the Canvas, from the people of Lumière to the Grandis and the Gestrals. Furthermore, in a tragic twist, it highlights the brave but ultimately pointless struggle of the Expeditioners.

Although destroying the Canvas saves Alicia and Aline’s lives, Alicia returns to the cold reality of the real world. Not only is she likely stuck with chronic pain for the rest of her life due to her severe burns, but she is also seen standing alone before Verso’s grave in the end – which isn’t a good sign for the Dessendre family.

Clea leaves first, likely returning to fight the war against the Writers. Moreover, it’s unknown if Aline had stopped blaming Alicia for Verso’s death by this point, but we’ll never know that.

However, a positive aspect to note about this ending is that Verso’s sacrifice was not in vain. As a result, Alicia could begin to grieve and process her brother’s death properly.

Which Ending Should You Choose?

Much discussed and debated among fans, it goes without saying that there is no right or wrong choice in this game, just extremely grey and realistic ones. There are so many things at stake, and both Verso and Alicia are so set in their ways that there is no chance for compromise. Although Verso’s Ending seems best, we’re reminded through our experiences as Gustave and through the Expedition’s struggles that they are real people.

However, it’s these moral quandaries and world-ending choices that make Clair Obscur (and games like it) so great. Renoir himself pointed out that we all must make difficult choices, but it’s up to you to pick the ending that you feel resonates with you more.

Which ending did you choose in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33? Let us know in the comments or send us a message.

Beating Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and choosing an ending doesn’t mean your journey is over—there’s still plenty to explore once the credits roll. Check out our guide on what to do after beating the final boss in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Did you like playing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and want to play more games like it? Check out our guide on the 5 best JRPGs to play after Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.