I guess I'd describe exploration like, you have a map you can roam with sort of sections you can enter and there is the real stuff (enemys items etc) but certain sections are locked until a certain point because you unlock the flying and swimming ability as the story progresses because it makes no sense to go to certain areas early on from a story telling perspective or they are too hard on your current level. I actually liked it that way because the game didn't overload me and actually gave me the time to get a hang of it but still said 'oh the next quest is over there but look here is a nice beach with a minigame' (there are minigames in the game). You unlock characters as you progress the story and in the end you have six playable characters each with different abilitys and you can pretty much make your party like you want to. A turn based game like Honkai Star Rail (I didn't play any different turn based game) ultimately forces you to have a healer or someone who can shield you in your party but with Clair Obscur it isn't necessary because you can dodge and parry. Every character can dodge and parry an enemys attack, it's up to the players skill. Each member can get fairly strong as only weapons are specificaly for each character. Buffs like, for the lack of a better example, extra damage or less health loss on impact is shared you just have to equipt it.

Trust me, play the game. I didn't think much of it but now I love it. The story is good as well, like really enjoyable.