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Let’s take a deep dive into all the endings you can unlock in the Clair Obscur Expedition 33 and which of them we think is the “good” ending.
Beating the final boss in Clair Obscur Expedition 33 presents players with a hard choice that can decide the ending of the game. The additional fight before the ending is between Maelle and Verso. You, the player, will have to choose a side, and the ending will change depending on your choice.
Both endings offer a somewhat complex narrative, which can be a bit confusing, especially the Maelle ending. If you are curious, let’s dive into all the Clair Obscur Expedition 33 endings. We’ll also be discussing which option we think is the “good” ending.
Warning: This article contains major spoilers for the game’s ending. If you haven’t completed the game yet and wish to experience the story firsthand, we recommend revisiting this page after you’ve reached the end.
Also Read: Clair Obscur Expedition 33: How To Fast Travel
Verso Ending in Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Explained
Choosing to side with Verso and defeating Maelle will make everything cease to exist, at least inside the painting. Everyone will start to vanish. As Maelle slowly fades away, Verso rushes to her and they spend one final moment with each other.
It would seem that Maelle is not ready to let go of Verso, telling him, “Don’t do this. Don’t leave me again.” Just a refresher, Maelle outside the canvas is named Alicia. She is Verso’s sister who survived the fire that took his brother’s life.
The main premise of the story is that Verso wanted the painting destroyed so his family could move on from his death and he could rest in peace. However, Maella doesn’t want to let go of the past. So she tries to stop the destruction of the canvas.
After Maelle completely vanishes, Sciel and Lune will also start to disappear. With all the party members gone, Verso interacts with the painter, telling him to stop painting. It’s also revealed in this moment that the painter was also Verso, possibly a fragment of his spirit that’s keeping him alive inside the canvas. Both Verso and the boy painter then walk away and disappear.
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Final Cutscene: A Life to Love
Following the scene from the canvas, the game takes us to the real world. The Dessendre household stands in front of a memorial for Verso. By the looks of it, the family has accepted the fact that Verso is truly gone, and they need to move on instead of clinging to what’s left of him.
While we’ve been following Maelle in the game, this ending is also very important for Aline, Verso’s mother. Until this moment, she is unwilling to accept her son’s death. The ending marks a turning point for her and the whole family, a painful but necessary step toward acceptance and healing.
The cutscene ends with Alicia seeing his companions in the painting, including Verso and his avatar Maelle. And in a blink, they vanish just like on the canvas. It’s open for interpretation, but it can be seen as a symbolic gesture that she knows it is time to say goodbye and keep moving forward.
Also Read: Clair Obscur Expedition 33: Is There Multiplayer and Co-Op
Maelle Ending in Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Explained
The Maelle ending is a bit darker and twisted, to say the least. If you choose to side with Maelle and defeat Verso, he will start to vanish while begging to stop the painter. As he slowly disappears, Verso will keep begging Maelle, “Alicia, I beg you, stop him from painting.” We know that Maelle is Alicia from the real world.
Verso will continue to plead, stating that he doesn’t want to live like this. However, his cries for help fell on deaf ears. Alicia responds that she wants to live like this forever and keep Verso trapped. Looking back on the other ending, the boy painter is actually a fragment of Verso’s soul and is keeping him alive through the canvas. As long as the boy continues painting, Verso will remain in the painting, even after vanishing after the fight.
The cutscene fades to black, and we hear Maelle’s dialogue, saying, “If you could grow old, would you find a reason to smile?”
Also Read: Clair Obscur Expedition 33 PC Optimization Guide: Best Settings For Optimal Performance
Final Cutscene: A Life to Paint
The final scene shows a theater. We see Maelle once again, along with a little boy, possibly Verso’ younger self. We get to see familiar faces like Sciel and Lune in the theater. Even Gustave and Sophie, who died previously, are also in the theater.
On the stage, Verso appears and takes a seat at the piano, preparing to make his performance. He takes a good look around and ponders to himself. It’s not revealed what’s on his mind at that time. However, we can speculate that he might be aware of what’s happening behind the scenes.
As the piano music starts playing, the camera cuts to Maelle, her face rotting away. It’s revealed previously that the more you stay in the painting, your body starts to deteriorate. It looks like she is willing to lose herself if it means she can spend time with her dead brother.
Also Read: Is Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Available on Consoles?
Which Ending Is the “Good” Ending
Before we dive into that answer, let me turn the question to you:
Would you choose to live in a perfect illusion, even if it’s built on pain and denial? Or would you have the strength to let go of the past, no matter how much it hurts, in order to move forward and truly heal?
As for me, I think Verso Ending is the “good” ending in the story. While it’s painful for Verso’s family members, it’s not necessarily the end of the world. No matter how perfect it is, an illusion remains an illusion. It does give you temporary comfort, which is good if you are not yet ready. But sooner or later, you have to face the reality that nothing lasts forever.
Letting go is difficult, but I believe it is the way forward. I like to believe that the Verso ending is not about loss, but acceptance, growth, and the hope of finding peace beyond grief. This is why I think it’s the “good” ending.
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