Charlie Cox, the acclaimed actor known for his role as Daredevil, has finally taken the plunge into the world of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33—a game in which he voices the character Gustave. For months, Cox openly admitted to feeling like a "total fraud" whenever fans approached him about the game, confessing that he hadn’t actually played it despite lending his voice to one of its central characters. That changed recently, as Cox revealed on April 17, 2026, that he has now experienced at least the opening segment of the much-celebrated title.
In a candid conversation with GamesRadar+ ahead of the BAFTA Games Awards, Cox shared his experience: "I've since played a bit of it. Not the whole thing, I haven't completed it. I've played the opening bit for a while and kind of walked around and met the people and garnered the information and all that kind of stuff. Not very well." The actor was quick to add, "I'm not very good, because obviously, it's a skill set, but I've played it." According to IGN, Cox’s confession comes after a year of fielding questions at conventions and award shows, where he often felt sheepish about his lack of firsthand experience with the game.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, has been lauded for its storytelling and immersive gameplay. Cox’s involvement in the title is limited to voice acting; the motion capture for Gustave was performed by French actor Maxence Cazorla. This division of labor is not uncommon in the gaming industry, but Cox has been particularly vocal about giving credit where it’s due. Reflecting on his nomination for Best Performance at The Game Awards 2025, he said, "Yes, I'm thrilled for this nomination. I've said this before and I think it's important to say: there's an amazing French actor, by the name of Maxence Cazorla, who did almost all of the motion capture for that role in that game. So any nomination or credit I get, I really have to give to him — I believe that the performance of that character is really down to him, and my voice was just part of that process."
Despite his humility, Cox’s contribution has not gone unnoticed. He was nominated for Best Performance at The Game Awards 2025, though the award ultimately went to his co-star Jennifer English. Still, his honest approach to the collaborative nature of video game performance has resonated with fans and industry insiders alike.
Cox’s journey into gaming doesn’t stem from a deep personal history with the medium. In fact, his last memorable gaming experiences date back to titles like FIFA 98, Mario Kart, and GoldenEye 007. As he told GamesRadar+, "Those games I just listed… They weren't, like, stories that were so carefully carved out and created over the course of a game with the level of detail and the way in which information is received. It's not just all spelled out – you discover these things as you go on through the game." He even joked that the last game he remembered playing before this recent foray was Mario 64, underscoring just how long it had been since he’d picked up a controller in earnest.
When Cox finally sat down to play Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the experience was more than just a trip down memory lane—it was a revelation. Comparing the game to a "movie you get to participate in," Cox was struck by the depth and nuance of modern game storytelling. "I remember being in the studio and thinking, 'This is beautiful, the visuals are extraordinary,'" he recalled, marveling at how far the medium has come since his childhood favorites.
But why did it take so long for Cox to play the game? As he explained to IGN, his work on Clair Obscur was limited to a short recording session—about four hours in total. Afterward, he didn’t even own a compatible console, admitting in June 2025 that he would need to buy one before he could try the game himself. The delay became a running joke among fans and at industry events, with Cox repeatedly acknowledging his lack of hands-on experience.
That all changed in 2026, when Cox finally got his hands on the game. Even if he only managed to explore the opening sections, meeting characters and gathering information in the game’s rich world, it was enough to lift the burden of feeling like an outsider to his own work. "I've played the opening bit for a while and kind of walked around and met the people and garnered the information and all that kind of stuff. Not very well," he said with characteristic self-deprecation. The actor was quick to admit he wasn’t particularly skilled at the game, but he took pleasure in finally being able to say he’d experienced it for himself.
For Cox, the experience of working on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has had a lasting impact on his career. In a recent interview with the YouTube channel Agents of Fandom, he revealed that his role in the game "opened a new avenue for my professional work" and inspired him to pursue further projects in the gaming industry. In fact, Cox is currently involved in another video game project slated for release later this year, one in which he promises to be "much more involved." This marks a new chapter for the actor, whose previous experience with games was almost entirely limited to his youth.
The collaborative process behind Gustave’s character highlights an ongoing evolution in video game performance. While Cox’s voice brings gravitas and nuance, it’s Cazorla’s physical performance that animates Gustave’s movements and expressions. According to GamesRadar+, Cox has been unwavering in his praise for Cazorla, stating that any accolades for the character’s performance should be shared. This kind of transparency is refreshing in an industry where voice actors and motion capture performers often work in isolation, sometimes without ever meeting each other.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 continues to receive critical acclaim for its intricate storytelling and immersive gameplay. The game’s ability to draw in players and make them feel like active participants in a cinematic narrative sets it apart from the more straightforward titles of Cox’s youth. As he put it, "It's not just all spelled out – you discover these things as you go on through the game." That sense of discovery, both for players and for Cox himself, seems to be at the heart of the game’s enduring appeal.
With Cox now embracing his role both as a performer and a player, fans can look forward to seeing how his newfound appreciation for gaming influences his future work. His journey from feeling like a "total fraud" to becoming an active participant in the gaming world is a testament to the evolving relationship between actors and interactive storytelling. For Cox, it appears the game is just getting started.