Esquie balances the darkness of Clair Obscur with unrelenting wholesomeness

[Warning: This piece includes spoilers for Clair Obscur’s late-game Act 2 reveals.]

I like a critical story as a lot as the subsequent particular person, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is extremely critical. It begins with a whole lot, possible 1000’s, erased from existence earlier than an expedition of a pair dozen go off to combat the Paintress, the deity-like being liable for mentioned erasure of Lumière’s residents. Most of these expeditioners shockingly die slightly rapidly. Like I mentioned — critical. However Clair Obscur will also be extremely goofy, and no character straddles each the intense and the goofy higher than Esquie.

You meet Esquie early on in Clair Obscur, round if you encounter the obsession-worthy Gestrals, battle-ready little dudes. You’re barred from coming into Esquie’s nest till you be taught the password, which is a powerful, “GET OUT OF MY WAY!” (although, that isn’t truly the password – sorry for shouting). When you communicate with Esquie and seize his rock from his cranky buddy François, he’ll be a part of your expedition.

Esquie, as a result of he’s the very best, doesn’t be a part of as a fighter, however as your mount (as a result of why experience a horse when you may experience Esquie?). He’s a talkative mount, and I nonetheless giggle at any time when Esquie yells “Exploration!” after we’re out and about on the continent, or “Time for swim swim!” after we’re taking a dip. The way in which his arms incessantly flap when flying by no means fails to make me grin.

Finally, as extra rocks are acquired, he’ll achieve the flexibility to seize underwater objects. This potential comes as a reward for leveling up Verso’s relationship with Esquie, and their relationship lends depth to the characters and the sport at massive. They share secrets and techniques, like how Esquie is stuffed with Verso’s good wine. Esquie tells the group their secret, and Verso playfully scolds him in a means that exhibits these two have been associates for a while.

Whereas Verso bonds with the expeditioners — and might share romantic scenes with Sciel or Lune — these bonds aren’t as deep as his friendships with Esquie and Gestral warrior Monoco. Principally, it’s Verso’s fault, as he can’t be sincere with Sciel, Lune, and Maelle in methods he can along with his outdated associates. Throughout some stretches, he distances himself from the expeditioners and permits them house to grieve or dance to take their thoughts off issues whereas Verso stays within the background.

Considered one of Esquie and Verso’s extra friendship-affirming conversations occurs whereas spending time collectively at camp. Esquie picks up on his good friend’s down-in-the-dumps temper, resulting in one of many extra touching conversations within the sport. “I too am ‘Whooo.’ However I’m additionally ‘Wheee.’ So the ‘Wheee’ balances the ‘Whooo,’” Esquie says, hitting on one thing all of us can relate to: holding conflicting feelings concurrently. Being joyful however low on the identical time, annoyed but excited. The “WheeeWhooo” dialog captures this stress between gentle and darkish permeating all through Clair Obscur; hell, the title roughly interprets to “gentle darkish.” The group can swing from the enjoyment of discovering Gestrals are actual to only a few hours later grappling with the lack of Gustave. By way of this all, although he doesn’t have a big position to play within the narrative, Esquie is one thing of its emotional rock, in case you’ll permit me, whether or not he’s comforting Maelle or dancing ballet as Verso performs the piano.

As soon as all of the truths are laid naked by the top of Clair Obscur’s second act, and also you uncover who Verso actually is (for the ultimate time) — a painted copy of the true and deceased Verso — Verso actually opens as much as Esquie, questioning if he misses the true Verso, if it bothers Esquie that the Verso we all know isn’t the Verso Esquie befriended. It’s a stark second within the sport; Verso hasn’t all the time been probably the most upfront about his inner struggles, typically simply reluctantly opening up about his grief-stricken household and their position within the devastation wrought upon Lumière.

Esquie, the healthful large, continues being the emotional rock of the group. He leaves no room for confusion, and gives the kind of kind-hearted, open-armed response that’s endeared him to followers. “You’re my good friend,” he says, assuring Verso that irrespective of how Verso views himself, Esquie will all the time see him as his ami.