Your Final Decision in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Explained
When you reach the end of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, you'll face a tough choice that completely changes how your story ends. Here's what happens either way in this emotional JRPG finale.
What Happens After Beating Renoir in the Final Boss Fight?
After you take down Renoir in Lumiere, Verso walks into the portal Renoir opened. He finds the Painted Boy there and gets into an argument with Maelle. They can't agree on whether she should leave the Canvas behind to face her real family and all their problems, or stay in this perfect little world she's made with her new friends.
Verso starts throwing Renoir's words about the Canvas back at her, and before they know it, they've both pulled out their swords. Neither wants to fight, but their beliefs are just too different. Now it's up to you to pick a side and decide what happens to the Canvas.
If You Pick Maelle's Side - Canvas Ending
If you fight as Maelle, you'll need to beat Verso one-on-one. After you win, he begs her one last time to stop this painting, saying over and over, "I don't want this life." Maelle cries and begs him to stay with her in this world where they can have the life that was stolen from them. With no more arguments left, Verso just fades away.
Afterward... The "A Life to Paint" Epilogue
Later in Lumiere, everyone's packed into the opera house for a show. Lune waves Maelle over to their seats next to Sciel and her husband. Gustav and Sophie join them too. The lights come up, and there's Verso at the piano, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else. He struggles with himself for a moment, looks over at his friends, and notices something weird about Maelle's eyes - they've got that same paint thing that Aline used to have. He turns back to the piano and starts playing anyway.
If You Pick Verso's Side - Reality Ending
If you fight as Verso instead, you'll have to defeat Maelle. When she falls, Verso holds her as she starts to fade. He tells her that back in the real world, she'll be a Painter and won't have to live any life she doesn't want. Then she's gone.
Monoco and Esquie hug Verso goodbye before they dissolve too. Then Sciel goes, and Lune after her. Verso takes the Painted Boy's hand, and they walk off together, disappearing as they go.
Afterward... The "A Life to Love" Epilogue
Back in the real world, what's left of the Dessendre family - Alicia, Renoir, Aline, and Clea - stand around Verso's grave, finally grieving together. Everyone leaves except Alicia, who sees ghostly images of her friends waving goodbye before they vanish for good.
Expedition 33 Endings FAQ
Q1: What are the two main choices at the end of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?: The two main choices are fighting as Maelle or fighting as Verso after defeating Renoir. These choices determine whether the Canvas world continues or disappears.
Q2: What happens if I choose to fight as Maelle in the final confrontation?: If you fight as Maelle and defeat Verso, he'll fade away (gommage) after pleading with Maelle one last time. This leads to the "A Life to Paint" epilogue where everyone continues living in the Canvas world, with Verso reluctantly playing piano while noticing Maelle's eyes have been affected by paint.
Q3: What is the "A Life to Paint" epilogue about?: The "A Life to Paint" epilogue shows the citizens of Lumiere gathering in the opera house, including Lune, Sciel, her husband, Gustave, and Sophie. Verso plays piano despite his reservations, noticing that Maelle now has eyes afflicted with paint similar to Aline's condition.
Q4: What happens if I choose to fight as Verso in the final battle?: If you fight as Verso and defeat Maelle, she will collapse and begin to gommage (disappear). Verso consoles her by saying that as a Painter in the real world, she'll never have to live an undesired life. This leads to the "A Life to Love" epilogue.
Q5: Who disappears from the Canvas world if Verso wins the final battle?: After Maelle fades away, Monoco and Esquie embrace Verso before they also disintegrate, followed by Sciel, then Lune. Finally, Verso and the Painted Boy walk away together as they too disappear.
Q6: What is the "A Life to Love" epilogue about?: The "A Life to Love" epilogue takes place in the real world, where the living members of the Dessendre family (Alicia, Renoir, Aline, and Clea) gather around Verso's grave to share their grief. Alicia sees apparitions of her companions waving goodbye before vanishing forever.
Q7: What is gommage in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?: Gommage appears to be the term used when characters from the Canvas world fade away or disappear, similar to being erased.
Q8: What is the significance of Maelle's eyes being afflicted with paint?: Maelle's eyes being afflicted with paint (similar to Aline's) in the "A Life to Paint" epilogue suggests that the Canvas world is continuing to affect its inhabitants in physical ways, possibly showing corruption or transformation.
Q9: Who is the Painted Boy in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?: The Painted Boy is a character found by Verso after entering the portal Renoir opened. He appears to be significant to both the Canvas world and the final confrontation between Verso and Maelle.
Q10: Does Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 have multiple endings?: Yes, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has two distinct endings based on your choice to fight as either Maelle or Verso, resulting in either "A Life to Paint" or "A Life to Love" epilogues.
