The Gestrals in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 are unlike any typical RPG companion or faction. They're odd, unpredictable, and impossible to forget.
At first sight, these creatures seem totally unhinged, with quirky characters cloaked in even crazier designs. The chaos may surround them, but they're firmly at the center of the game's emotional and narrative heart.
The developers didn't just throw in weirdness for the sake of it. The Gestrals personify the weird blend of beauty and absurdity that defines Expedition 33's surreal universe.
You'll meet the Gestrals early, and though their behavior seems chaotic or funny, it gradually reveals a tragic side. They were once ordinary humans, but now they're distorted by the same cycle of death and rebirth the Paintress imposes on the world.
That's a big reason why they're so intriguing. Most Gestrals have their own backstories, their own fractured memories, and their own ways of coping with the fading world they're trapped in. Gameplay-wise, the Gestrals offer something different.
Some are allies, giving important help in battles or unlocking special mechanics. Others take a more antagonistic or neutral stance, throwing your group into unpredictable situations that put both your power and your judgment to the test.
Each feels deliberately created, not only in its visual design but in its function as well. One moment, they're cracking a joke that barely makes sense, and the next, they're breaking down the world's cruelty in a way that cuts deeper than expected.
They take a different narrative route than your usual companions, making every encounter feel new and full of meaning. Tracking down the lost Gestrals enhances the narrative and provides players with rewarding abilities and achievements.
There are nine lost Gestrals scattered across the game's expansive world. To find them, players must explore diverse environments and utilize the protagonist Esquie's full range of abilities, such as swimming and flying. What gives them an edge is how they naturally move away from the usual RPG conventions.
In many games, you're used to seeing the wise mentor, the stoic warrior, or the sarcastic rogue. But the Gestrals toss all that aside. They don't belong in tidy boxes; they're chaotic, often inappropriate, and sometimes unnerving, but they're unforgettable.
They force you to sit with discomfort, to listen to voices that don't make perfect sense, and to consider that even the most broken things can still have something valuable to say.
They're the kind of characters that linger in your mind long after the credits roll. They'll either win your heart or leave you puzzled, but you won't forget them.