RPGs by their nature are massive in scope, style, and depth. Expedition 33 seems to have taken a scrupulous scalpel to this principle, trimming a lot of the fat that can weigh down an RPG of this size. The zones we’ve seen so far in the early part of the game are incredibly dense and beautiful, but crucially linear in how you’re left to explore them, with optional areas allowing you to deviate from the golden path, yielding some loot. I’m OK with an RPG that doesn’t feel the need to offer a massive open world, so having some clear direction while being able to take in the sights feels oddly refreshing. And having these focused paths means that the detail of this world can be much greater than if it were spread out. Every step is packed with colorful, and at times alien, foliage while off in the distance you can see a cracked, broken world on the horizon. It’s a Mordor-like foreboding of what lies ahead for your party of heroes.
Battles also load quickly and keep you occupied as you’re tasked with parrying, dodging, or jumping over attacks that leave little room for you to “go through the motions” with any of the encounters I’ve seen so far. Level grinding is required somewhat but the battle system is so engaging and beautiful to look at that I didn’t mind having to spend some time leveling up by bashing on minions to advance past a boss guarding the next zone.
