Last updated: 3 July 2026
Expedition 33 Both Endings Explained
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 ends on a wrenching choice between two characters, and the two endings have sparked endless discussion. This guide explains the choice, what each ending means thematically, and how to see both. Stop now if you have not finished the game — what follows spoils the story's biggest twists and both endings in full.
Expedition 33's finale hinges on a single choice: side with Verso or with Maelle. Both endings can be seen on one save because the post-credits returns you to just before the final boss. This page contains heavy, full-game spoilers about the story's central twists and both outcomes — only read on if you have finished the game or do not mind spoilers.
01Major Spoiler Warning
This entire page is a spoiler zone. It reveals the central twists of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and describes both endings. Turn back unless you have completed the game.
The finale is a deliberate, emotional choice rather than a 'good versus bad' button — both endings are thematically rich, and the game frames them as two responses to grief. What follows assumes you have reached the end.
02The Final Choice: Verso or Maelle
At the climax, you choose whether to resolve the final confrontation as Verso or as Maelle:
- The choice is the ending — each path plays out a different conclusion to the story and its central relationships.
- It is presented as a genuine dilemma, with the narrative deliberately refusing to label one as simply correct.
- Both are tied to the game's theme of grief — how the characters cope with loss is the real subject of the ending.
- Which you find more 'right' tends to depend on how you read the story rather than on mechanics.
03What Each Ending Means
The two outcomes diverge sharply in tone and meaning:
- Verso's ending is widely read as the more bittersweet, accepting conclusion — a letting-go that confronts grief and loss directly, with the story's relationships finding a form of closure and farewell.
- Maelle's ending is read as the more tragic path — a refusal to let go that, beneath its apparent comfort, carries a darker undertone about grief left unresolved and the cost of clinging on.
- Neither is a clean 'happy' ending — the game intentionally leaves both bittersweet, which is central to its emotional impact.
- Many players watch both to fully appreciate the contrast the writers built in.
04How to See Both Endings
You do not need two playthroughs to experience both conclusions:
- After the credits, the game returns you to a save just before the final confrontation.
- Make one choice, watch that ending, then reload from that point and choose the other.
- No New Game Plus is required — both endings are reachable from the same save.
- Finish any remaining side content while you are back in the pre-finale state if you are going for completion.
- Take your time with each — the two endings are meant to be sat with and compared.
FAQ
How many endings does Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 have?
The game has two endings, determined by a single choice at the finale: side with Verso or with Maelle. Both are deliberately bittersweet rather than a clear good-versus-bad split, reflecting the story's theme of grief. Because the post-credits returns you to a save just before the final confrontation, you can see both endings on the same save without a New Game Plus.
What is the difference between the Verso and Maelle endings?
Verso's ending is generally read as the more bittersweet, accepting conclusion — a letting-go that confronts grief and finds a form of closure. Maelle's ending is read as the more tragic path, a refusal to let go that carries a darker undertone beneath its apparent comfort. Neither is a clean happy ending; the contrast between them is central to the game's emotional impact.
Can you get both endings in Expedition 33 on one save?
Yes. After the credits, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 returns you to a save point just before the final confrontation. You can make one choice, watch that ending, then reload from that point and pick the other, so both endings are reachable on the same save with no New Game Plus required. This also lets you finish remaining side content afterward.
Which ending is the true ending of Expedition 33?
The game deliberately avoids labelling one ending as the single canonical true ending — both the Verso and Maelle choices are framed as valid, thematically meaningful responses to grief. Many players consider Verso's the more thematically resolved conclusion, but the writers intentionally leave the choice ambiguous, so which feels right depends on how you read the story.
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