The story of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is divided between Gustave, Verso, and Maelle rather than resting on a single protagonist.
The way the game unfolds intentionally challenges players to rethink what a “main character” even means.
Traditional RPGs tend to have one clear lead, but this game hands that role off from act to act, making the meaning of the journey itself something to argue about when it’s over.
Is Gustave the Obvious Choice—or Just the First One?
His early death isn’t just a plot twist; it signals that this story won’t focus on the person you expected.
Early on, Gustave becomes the familiar anchor of the expedition, steady, calm, and emotionally grounded. The game uses him to ease players into the world, only to remind them that grief and loss are at the core of this journey.
Gustave’s absence affects everything that happens next, and it is his loss that drives Maelle’s story forward.
Why Does Verso Take Over the Narrative?
He leads through much of Act 2 because, at first, he seems like a strange choice, a quiet and cryptic figure who knows more than he lets on.
The deeper the story goes, the more Verso stands out as an equally important narrative anchor alongside Gustave. But as the story deepens, it becomes clear that Verso is just as much a narrative anchor as Gustave was.
He carries the weight of the Canvas and its past, along with secrets that unravel everything you thought you understood. His actions in the final acts are divisive for a reason.
Some players see him as a tragic figure trying to end a cycle of pain. Others view him as manipulative and selfish. Either way, he doesn’t feel like a side character—his choices affect the entire fate of Lumiere and everyone in it.
Why Is Maelle Called the “Hidden Main Character”?
Maelle is labeled the “hidden protagonist” by lead writer Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, but the term “hidden” is a bit of a stretch since she’s present from the beginning; her importance just takes a while to reveal itself fully.
Maelle is the emotional thread running through the story, starting off in the background with her quiet connection to Gustave and the group. But as the plot moves into heavier existential territory, it becomes clear she’s the core focus.
Her path from suffering to strength reflects the game’s dive into surreal themes of creation, loss, and the fading boundary between fantasy and reality. Whether the ending favors her or Verso, Maelle is the one who decides what happens to the world you’ve come to love.
Does It Even Matter Who the “Lead” Is?
By design, the game never fully answers the question of who matters most.
That’s the point. It presents several takes, one for every major act, and lets you settle on the one you prefer. The main character isn’t a single person but the expedition itself —a changing team with their own backgrounds, all working to survive and move ahead.
Gustave gives the story its heart. Verso provides its mystery and weight. Maelle delivers its final message. Each is essential. And depending on what you value most—stability, truth, or healing—any one of them could be the “main” character in your version of Clair Obscur.
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