Dan Ogles
@dogles.bsky.social
Gamedev/studio founder on self-imposed exile for now. Prev: Blizzard, Proletariat, Zynga, Harmonix, Turbine. Opinions are NOT my own.
Hm no I think I’m capable of doing my own analysis and standing by my opinion that E33’s narrative and execution thereof was atypically excellent for the genre. You are free to disagree! (Ideally without accusations of ignorance or bias.)
That’s not “placing it apart”. Strange to think so.
That’s not “placing it apart”. Strange to think so.
December 15, 2025 at 5:53 AM
Hm no I think I’m capable of doing my own analysis and standing by my opinion that E33’s narrative and execution thereof was atypically excellent for the genre. You are free to disagree! (Ideally without accusations of ignorance or bias.)
That’s not “placing it apart”. Strange to think so.
That’s not “placing it apart”. Strange to think so.
Hm I’ve played them both and I find your statement laughable! (FFIX was fine but not even in my top 5 FF’s)
Opinions, everyone’s got them. 😁
Opinions, everyone’s got them. 😁
December 15, 2025 at 5:33 AM
Hm I’ve played them both and I find your statement laughable! (FFIX was fine but not even in my top 5 FF’s)
Opinions, everyone’s got them. 😁
Opinions, everyone’s got them. 😁
You can see other responses I’ve made in the thread, but I’ve been playing JRPGs since NES era. I maintain the story and its execution in E33 are atypically excellent for the genre. That isn’t mutually exclusive with the phenomenon you describe, which is maybe real? I don’t know those people lol
December 15, 2025 at 2:20 AM
You can see other responses I’ve made in the thread, but I’ve been playing JRPGs since NES era. I maintain the story and its execution in E33 are atypically excellent for the genre. That isn’t mutually exclusive with the phenomenon you describe, which is maybe real? I don’t know those people lol
(Not to mention, if you want to talk Hollywoodification, Sqenix were practically the originators of that trend!)
OTOH speaking of undercurrents, the vibe I get from the various responses in this large thread is an impulse to gatekeep and shrug of criticism/analysis as ignorance or bad faith.
OTOH speaking of undercurrents, the vibe I get from the various responses in this large thread is an impulse to gatekeep and shrug of criticism/analysis as ignorance or bad faith.
December 15, 2025 at 2:11 AM
(Not to mention, if you want to talk Hollywoodification, Sqenix were practically the originators of that trend!)
OTOH speaking of undercurrents, the vibe I get from the various responses in this large thread is an impulse to gatekeep and shrug of criticism/analysis as ignorance or bad faith.
OTOH speaking of undercurrents, the vibe I get from the various responses in this large thread is an impulse to gatekeep and shrug of criticism/analysis as ignorance or bad faith.
I don’t know where that is coming from other than maybe you’re projecting something. I liked FFX. Played through it with my partner at the time watching. It was also a *massively* popular title! You make it sound as if anime/etc isn’t completely mainstream.
December 15, 2025 at 2:11 AM
I don’t know where that is coming from other than maybe you’re projecting something. I liked FFX. Played through it with my partner at the time watching. It was also a *massively* popular title! You make it sound as if anime/etc isn’t completely mainstream.
Agree that execution matters - the narrative was simply well told - but also worth pointing out that the initially apparent conceit is ultimately subverted! The story isn’t about defeating the Paintress any more than Frankenstein is about a scary monster.
December 15, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Agree that execution matters - the narrative was simply well told - but also worth pointing out that the initially apparent conceit is ultimately subverted! The story isn’t about defeating the Paintress any more than Frankenstein is about a scary monster.
I’m surprised you didn’t bring up the multiple characters valiantly sacrificing their lives for the greater good, only to show up later “oh it wasn’t a big deal”. Embarrassing shit.
December 14, 2025 at 2:17 AM
I’m surprised you didn’t bring up the multiple characters valiantly sacrificing their lives for the greater good, only to show up later “oh it wasn’t a big deal”. Embarrassing shit.
I don’t want to spam same responses multiple times in the thread, so I kindly refer you to my other posts there :)
December 13, 2025 at 7:17 PM
I don’t want to spam same responses multiple times in the thread, so I kindly refer you to my other posts there :)
Thanks! I played it a while ago but bounced off (probably due to time constraints). Might give it another go. Have played others in the series tho.
December 13, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Thanks! I played it a while ago but bounced off (probably due to time constraints). Might give it another go. Have played others in the series tho.
Is it “incredibly common”, really? I mean, cmon, I’m sure there’s some to point to, but clearly it’s exception to the rule, unless I’ve solely been playing the “wrong” ones the past 30+ years.
I’m certainly not denying other JRPGs were massively influential to E33. That’s obvious.
I’m certainly not denying other JRPGs were massively influential to E33. That’s obvious.
December 13, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Is it “incredibly common”, really? I mean, cmon, I’m sure there’s some to point to, but clearly it’s exception to the rule, unless I’ve solely been playing the “wrong” ones the past 30+ years.
I’m certainly not denying other JRPGs were massively influential to E33. That’s obvious.
I’m certainly not denying other JRPGs were massively influential to E33. That’s obvious.
Even E33 is superficially this narrative: “defeat the Paintress”, but it subverts it in a surprising and satisfying way to deliver a multi-faceted meditation on grief.
Again, just IMHO!
Again, just IMHO!
December 13, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Even E33 is superficially this narrative: “defeat the Paintress”, but it subverts it in a surprising and satisfying way to deliver a multi-faceted meditation on grief.
Again, just IMHO!
Again, just IMHO!
Yes, this is where we get into the limitations of traditional linear storytelling in games. JRPGs as a genre emphasize on narrative moreso than any other that comes to mind. Like, Ball x Pit could plausibly fit that same narrative, but it’s far from its emphasis and not why I enjoy it.
December 13, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Yes, this is where we get into the limitations of traditional linear storytelling in games. JRPGs as a genre emphasize on narrative moreso than any other that comes to mind. Like, Ball x Pit could plausibly fit that same narrative, but it’s far from its emphasis and not why I enjoy it.
Again, making assumptions. I’ve been playing JRPGs since the NES era. My initially putting off E33 wasn’t because I dismiss the genre; if anything it’s that I’m burned-out of it!
You’re assuming ignorance instead of accepting a difference of opinion.
You’re assuming ignorance instead of accepting a difference of opinion.
December 13, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Again, making assumptions. I’ve been playing JRPGs since the NES era. My initially putting off E33 wasn’t because I dismiss the genre; if anything it’s that I’m burned-out of it!
You’re assuming ignorance instead of accepting a difference of opinion.
You’re assuming ignorance instead of accepting a difference of opinion.
Yeah likewise I wasn’t intending to imply everything else is junk - more that E33 stands out (for me) as one of the best of the many I’ve played in the genre. I’ve been playing them since DQ1 on the NES lol
Shadow Hearts does look interesting, thanks for the recc!
Shadow Hearts does look interesting, thanks for the recc!
December 13, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Yeah likewise I wasn’t intending to imply everything else is junk - more that E33 stands out (for me) as one of the best of the many I’ve played in the genre. I’ve been playing them since DQ1 on the NES lol
Shadow Hearts does look interesting, thanks for the recc!
Shadow Hearts does look interesting, thanks for the recc!
You’re making some hefty assumptions there, buddy. Have played plenty.
Maybe “not very good stories” is too broad; more particularly the genre is dominated by power fantasy narratives. Plucky neophytes who go on to save the world. That gets boring after a while - at least for me!
Maybe “not very good stories” is too broad; more particularly the genre is dominated by power fantasy narratives. Plucky neophytes who go on to save the world. That gets boring after a while - at least for me!
December 13, 2025 at 7:25 AM
You’re making some hefty assumptions there, buddy. Have played plenty.
Maybe “not very good stories” is too broad; more particularly the genre is dominated by power fantasy narratives. Plucky neophytes who go on to save the world. That gets boring after a while - at least for me!
Maybe “not very good stories” is too broad; more particularly the genre is dominated by power fantasy narratives. Plucky neophytes who go on to save the world. That gets boring after a while - at least for me!
I agree re: Hollywoodification in terms of cultural consequence to some extent FWIW. I just found the OP a bit dismissive of the game’s accomplishments on its own merits.
December 13, 2025 at 2:30 AM
I agree re: Hollywoodification in terms of cultural consequence to some extent FWIW. I just found the OP a bit dismissive of the game’s accomplishments on its own merits.
Personally I put off playing E33 for a while for the opposite reason you describe: JRPG stories usually just aren’t very good (despite the focus being very much on story). So I was quite pleasantly surprised…blown away, even.
December 13, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Personally I put off playing E33 for a while for the opposite reason you describe: JRPG stories usually just aren’t very good (despite the focus being very much on story). So I was quite pleasantly surprised…blown away, even.
To attempt clarification - watch this (it’s great). Do you think typical games in the genre rival the level of thematic richness and emotional depth discussed here? Cuz I’d like to play them!
youtu.be/ou49qDJGYTo?...
youtu.be/ou49qDJGYTo?...
The Details That Reframe the Ending of Expedition 33 | Clair Obscur: The End
YouTube video by SilentEllipsis
youtu.be
December 13, 2025 at 2:30 AM
To attempt clarification - watch this (it’s great). Do you think typical games in the genre rival the level of thematic richness and emotional depth discussed here? Cuz I’d like to play them!
youtu.be/ou49qDJGYTo?...
youtu.be/ou49qDJGYTo?...
“when you boil it down, Expedition 33 just another RPG. it’s not really any more respectable a story than any other in the genre.”
What can I say other than Hard Disagree. I found it to be far above and beyond others in the genre. I guess it just didn’t resonate with you.
What can I say other than Hard Disagree. I found it to be far above and beyond others in the genre. I guess it just didn’t resonate with you.
December 13, 2025 at 1:39 AM
“when you boil it down, Expedition 33 just another RPG. it’s not really any more respectable a story than any other in the genre.”
What can I say other than Hard Disagree. I found it to be far above and beyond others in the genre. I guess it just didn’t resonate with you.
What can I say other than Hard Disagree. I found it to be far above and beyond others in the genre. I guess it just didn’t resonate with you.