If you were watching The Game Awards last night, you witnessed history. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 didn’t just walk away with the coveted Game of the Year trophy—it swept the floor with a record-breaking eight wins. But developers Sandfall Interactive didn’t just stop at a speech. In a move that cements their legendary status, they immediately dropped a massive, free “Thank You” update for all players.
For a game that launched back in April and has already sold over 5 million copies, this isn’t just a patch; it’s a love letter to the community. Whether you are a veteran Expedition member or a new player jumping in via Game Pass, this update adds significant meat to the bone. Let’s break down exactly what is waiting for you in Lumière.
New Story Zone: Verso’s Drafts
The headline feature is undoubtedly the new playable area, Verso’s Drafts. This isn’t just a reskinned dungeon; it’s a narrative deep dive into the childhood of the game’s breakout character, Verso (voiced by the incredible Ben Starr). The developers describe it as a “whimsical hideout” crafted from joy and innocence, but in true Clair Obscur fashion, expect darkness to lurk beneath the surface.
To access this new zone, you need to meet a few requirements:
- Reach Act 3 in the main story.
- Unlock Esquie’s underwater skill (requires Relationship Level 6).
- Find the new island on the map, located just southeast of Lumière.
Photo Mode, Bosses, and endless Loot
Beyond the story, the update addresses the number one community request: Photo Mode. Given the game’s stunning Belle Époque art style, players have been begging for a way to capture the scenery properly. The new tool offers granular controls, filters, and poses, perfect for showing off the brand-new costumes added for every party member.
For the combat enthusiasts, the update adds four brutal new boss variants to the Endless Tower. These are enhanced versions of iconic story bosses designed to test your endgame builds. Speaking of builds, the new Lumina Sets feature finally lets you save up to 50 different loadouts, meaning you no longer have to manually swap gear between fights.
Update Content at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| New Zone | “Verso’s Drafts” (Story Content) |
| New Bosses | 4 Hardcore variants in Endless Tower |
| QoL Features | Photo Mode, Lumina Loadouts (50 slots) |
| Items | New Weapons, Luminas, Costumes, “Old Key” |
| Platform | Steam Deck & ROG Ally Verified |
Conclusion
It is rare to see a single-player RPG get this level of post-launch support for free, especially months after release. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was already a masterpiece—hence the GOTY win—but this update removes almost every minor gripe players had while adding meaningful new content. If you haven’t played it yet, there has literally never been a better time to start the expedition.
FAQs
Is the Thank You update free?
Yes, the update is completely free for all players on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
How do I unlock the new area?
You must be in Act 3 and have unlocked Esquie’s underwater traversal ability by reaching Relationship Level 6 with them.
Who voices Verso in the new content?
Ben Starr reprises his role as Verso, delivering more of the emotional performance that earned him a Best Performance nomination.
Does this update add New Game Plus?
While the update adds endgame challenges like the Endless Tower bosses, a traditional New Game Plus mode was already part of previous patches.
Is the game on Game Pass?
Yes, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available on Xbox Game Pass for both console and PC.