There is no correct ending to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, lead writer says

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 ahead.

Few video game narratives hit as hard as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. From the very first moments, it pulls you into a world steeped in mature themes, emotional weight, and choices that linger long after you’ve put down the controller. At its climax, players are confronted with a powerful decision that branches into one of two endings: Maelle’s or Verso’s.

While it’s tempting to debate which ending is the ‘right’ one, lead writer Jennifer Sverberg-Yen of Sandfall Interactive has made it clear—there is no canon or correct ending to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

“I tell everyone there is no correct ending, there is no canon ending, there is no official Sandfall ending,” she told the Lits Play podcast. “Both endings are there for a reason, we put them both there for a reason, they were designed in a very particular way. Neither is perfect. Both are heartbreaking in their own ways.”

Verso, voiced by Ben Starr, faces down an enemy in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33/Sandfall Interactive

Sverbeg-Yen added, “Both of them have parts of them that make you glad, that make you feel like ‘I want a happy ending for these characters,’ but both of them have their own cost. It’s a reflection of reality, a lot of times, some people’s happiness does come with its cost, things are rarely perfect.”

Sverberg-Yen also explained that one of the most important facets of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s narrative was that it went against a typical story of “good against evil” from the earliest stages of its development.

“In this instance, we wanted to focus on the fact that because both sides care, they have different perspectives on how best to move forward. They care about each other, and they care about each other’s future,” she explained, saying “The player can decide for themselves what is the right ending based upon their own perspective.”

Do you agree with the game’s lead writer that there is no correct ending to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33? Which ending did you choose, Maelle’s or Verso’s? Let us know in the comments.