Maelle, the rapier-wielding fencer ofClair Obscur: Expedition 33, captivates players with her elegant precision, strategic stance-switching, and unwavering determination. An outsider seeking to forge her own destiny, she embodies the spirit of understated power and relentless self-definition.
If Maelle’s unique blend of sophisticated combat and a compelling narrative journey resonates deeply with you, then you’re likely drawn to games that champion similar qualities. From titles demanding perfect parries and tactical depth to stories of individuals defying fate, prepare to discover ten games that perfectly capture Maelle’s distinctive vibe (or at least her gameplay).
While visually distinct, Borderlands 2 captures Maelle’s underestimated power and determination. You choose a Vault Hunter,preferably Maya, an outsider seeking to make their mark on Pandora. The game’s intricate build crafting, where combining skills, gear, and elemental synergies leads to explosive damage, mirrors Maelle’s fiery skills and brutal combos that topple the hardest foes in mere rounds.
Like Maelle’s journey to forge her own destiny, your chosen character defies Handsome Jack’s control and becomes a lynchpin in the salvation of a world where death is all too commonplace.
En Garde! is about fencing. Maelle is a fencer. This is almost too close to the brief of ‘recommending games if you like this character who is a fencer’ - but hear me out. I have more reasoning to convey.
En Garde! is all about elegant, precise swordplay, demanding perfect timing for parries, ripostes, and strategic movement. The focus on one-on-one duels and managing multiple opponents with skill and panache directly reflects Maelle’s mastery of her rapier and her stance-based combat. The fact that the game is also artistic is another point in its favour, of course!
This comparison goes beyond the fact that Control’s heroine, Jesse Faden, also has red hair. It’s more that both Jesse and Maelle are in strange worlds surrounded by mystery and oppressive powers, and manage to overcome the challenges in their way.
The parallels don’t end at such vague descriptors - both characters are fighting against shady, seemingly insurmountable villains that are barely understood but manage to overshadow everything about their lives, and without getting too spoilery, family plays a big part in their stories.
Aloy, like Maelle, is an outsider seeking to define her place in amysterious, dangerous world. Her journey is one of unearthing forgotten truths and actively forging her own destiny, rather than accepting a predetermined one.
Horizon Zero Dawn’s combat is also comparable - exploiting elemental weaknesses, targeting specific points with ranged attacks, and managing to take down truly colossal foes are features of both titles. If you like one, there’s adecentchance you’ll like the other.
With Final Fantasy 14, it is you, the player, who mirrors Maelle’s journey. Through your created Warrior of Light, you’re thrust into a world of fantastical lands, a menagerie of monsters, and end up collaborating with like-minded people (both in the context of the narrative and in the context of the game being an MMORPG) working to topple countless villains.
It’s also surprisingly easy to emulate Maelle in both appearance and gameplay. Roll up a Hyur character and make a beeline for the Red Mage job and live out your magic-slinging fencer dreams.
Bloodborne’s combat demands precise parrying, aggressive yet calculated attacks, and quick dodges, all hallmarks of Maelle’s rapier mastery. Its trick weapons feature two distinct forms, essentially acting as stances that alter playstyle, directly mirroring Maelle’s stances.
The Hunter’s relentless determination to confront terrifying foes and uncover the grim truths of Yharnam resonates with Maelle’s steadfast resolve to forge her destiny amidst the Expedition’s dangers, and it doesn’t hurt that the enemies in Bloodborne as as grotesque and formless as the Gestrals of Clair Obscur.
Valkyrie Profile resonates with Maelle’s deeper narrative. Lenneth Valkyrie, an outsider tasked with gathering souls, grapples with her purpose and the destinies of others. Like Maelle’s predestined end thanks to the Paintress, Lenneth has a grim destiny thanks to the ever-looming Ragnarok.
The overarching themes of fate, choice, and individuals finding meaning in a grand, often tragic, cosmic dance evoke Maelle’s personal journey to transcend her past and define her own future.
Melinoe, in many ways, is rather like Maelle in both her personality and her journey. She’s young and determined, and places a great deal of importance on her family, for whom she’s fighting. Between runs, shespends time at the crossroadsinteracting with those who are helping her on her quest, and these mirror the scenes at camp in Clair Obscur really well.
This, in addition to the strong thematic connection to defying destiny, rising from obscurity, and defining oneself through relentless effort makes Hades 2 an exceptional fit for fans of Maelle’s compelling character.
Sekiro is the ultimate test of precise, parry-centric combat, echoing Maelle’s fencing prowess. Success hinges on perfectly timed deflections, strategic posture breaking, and exploiting momentary openings. This demands a mastery of the blade that feels inherently elegant and highly skilled, much like Maelle’s stances.
The protagonist, a lone wolf with unwavering resolve, embarks on a relentless path to defy destiny, aligning with Maelle’s determined spirit to forge her own fate.
1Persona 5 Royal
Persona 5 Royal’s stylish turn-based combat emphasizes strategic team synergy and exploiting enemy weaknesses, so if you liked Clair Obscur’s combat systems, you’re bound to vibe with Persona 5.
Beyond combat, the Phantom Thieves, the heroes here, actively challenge corrupted adults and ‘change their hearts,’ embodying a strong theme of defying predetermined societal roles and forging their own sense of justice and destiny.
