If you’ve been exploring the optional side content in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and have started to increase your relationship levels with each character, you’ll be no stranger to tragedy by the time you reach Act 3. Of the many tragic events in Clair Obscur, one particular scene has made me incredibly sad during each of my three playthroughs to date, and no, it’s not that one. As part of Monoco’s relationship questline, there’s an opportunity to bring a beloved character back to life in the Sacred River.

I’m speaking, of course, about one of the very first Gestrals you meet in Flying Waters, the adorable and sassy Noco. Noco is among your first introductions to the Gestrals in the game, and one of the first Gestrals you fight for access to their unique inventory. In arguably the saddest moment in the game, Noco is tragically killed during the main story. However, as you advance Monoco’s relationship in Clair Obscur, you’ll get a chance to resurrect him. While there are clear gameplay-related benefits to bringing him back, I’m not sure if it’s the best thing for Noco.

What Happens If You Resurrect Noco In Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Complete Monoco’s Relationship After Visiting The Sacred River

As you get closer to Monoco during Clair Obscur‘s main story, it becomes obvious how important Noco is to him. Monoco and Noco are not only best friends, but more like father and son, and Monoco is gutted when Noco perishes. However, Gestrals have the unique benefit inside the Canvas of being resurrected in a place called the Sacred River, as long as they wait their turn. You need to travel to Sacred River to complete Monoco’s quest line, and doing so involves bringing Noco back to life, but he won’t be quite the same.

When you reach the Sacred River, you’ll be able to speak with the large pink Gestral in the river. You’ll be prompted to resurrect Noco, but Monoco is caught skipping the line. He’ll be interrupted by Golgra, whom you’ll end up having to fight once again. After defeating her, she’ll take Noco back to the Gestral Village to get “reoriented” in the world of the living.

Resurrection comes with some drawbacks, however, and Noco doesn’t remember much about his relationship with Monoco or the Expedition crew. Despite Noco’s resurrection being inevitable if you want to complete Monoco’s relationship line, I’m not sure whether it’s really the best thing for Noco or Monoco as characters. After completing Monoco’s quest, Noco will end up at the Gestral Village, and while you can speak to him as Monoco, it will never be the way it once was.

What Happens If You Don’t Resurrect Noco

You Won’t Be Able To Complete Monoco’s Relationship Unless You Resurrect Noco

 

Sadly, the only way to complete Monoco’s relationship is by bringing Noco back to life, even if it is a tragic ending. In my view, bringing Noco back is more of a punishment to Monoco, even if Noco does get a second chance at life. Noco isn’t really the same Gestral he used to be, either, and there isn’t a truly “happy” ending where Noco’s memories of Monoco and the Expeditioners are suddenly restored. In the end, Noco gets a new beginning, but Monoco loses his closest companion and the Gestral that made him who he is today.

“Letting go of the past and giving Noco a new beginning is clearly the “right” thing to do, even if it’s really sad.”

When you finish up Monoco’s quest line and speak with Verso again, it’s clear that Noco’s resurrection represents a recurring theme in the game, and letting go of the past and giving Noco a new beginning is clearly the “right” thing to do, even if it’s really sad. It would be selfish not to bring him back, even if he has changed. That said, none of this is relevant from a pure gameplay perspective, and if you are simply trying to reach the max-level relationship with Monoco, there’s no benefit to skipping the Sacred River and refusing to resurrect Noco.

You Should Resurrect Noco, Even If It’s A Little Sad

Monoco Is Heartbroken, But Noco Gets Another Chance At Life

Resurrecting Noco is definitely the better choice in terms of gameplay benefits, as you’ll be able to unlock Monoco’s Break Point skill by completing his relationship quest. Further, even if it is tragic, it’s probably for the best that Noco is brought back to life. This is ultimately what Monoco wants, and the situation is used to teach Verso a lesson about moving forward in life. While it’s heartbreaking to revisit Noco at the Gestral Village and to hear Monoco cry, this is just one of the many harsh realities that Clair Obscur’s story imparts.

If you’re conflicted over resurrecting Noco, the choice is an easy one in terms of gameplay benefits. The real struggle will be with your emotional attachment to the character, and accepting that you’re never going to see the quirky, sharp-witted Noco from earlier in the game, at least until you start a NG+ run of Clair Obscur. Noco is just one of the many characters you’re bound to fall in love with in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and resurrecting him in the Sacred River is a necessary, albeit bittersweet, moment.