Clair Obscur: Unveiling the Legacy and Advancements of Expedition 33

Sandfall Interactive's creative director, Guillaume Broche, recently unveiled key details about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, highlighting its historical inspirations and innovative gameplay mechanics. Discover the rich tapestry of influences woven into this upcoming title.

Historical Influences and Gameplay Revolution

Name and Narrative Origins

"Expedition 33" directly reflects the in-game narrative, detailing the protagonist Gustave's expeditions to defeat the Paintress. Each year, a new expedition attempts this perilous task. The Paintress uses a monolith to erase individuals from existence, a process Broche terms "Gommage." The reveal trailer showcased the death of Gustave's partner after the Paintress targets age 33.

Broche also cited La Horde du Contrevent (The Horde of the Against-Wind), a fantasy novel about explorers, as a narrative influence. He further noted his enduring fascination with stories of venturing into the unknown, citing Attack on Titan as an example.

Reimagining Turn-Based RPGs

Broche emphasized the game's commitment to high-fidelity graphics within the turn-based RPG genre. He stated, "A high-fidelity turn-based RPG has been missing for a while, and we aimed to fill that gap."

While real-time elements existed in past titles like Valkyria Chronicles and Project X Zone, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 introduces a reactive turn-based combat system. Broche described it as a blend of strategic planning and real-time reactions: "Players strategize during their turns, but must react in real-time to enemy actions during the opponent's turn, dodging, jumping, or parrying to unleash powerful counterattacks."

The design draws inspiration from action games like the Souls series, Devil May Cry, and NieR, aiming to replicate their rewarding gameplay within a turn-based framework.

Future Outlook

Broche's insights reveal a game deeply rooted in history yet boldly innovative in its gameplay. The combination of high-fidelity visuals and the reactive turn-based combat promises a fresh take on the genre. Players will need to combine careful planning with split-second reactions to succeed.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is slated for release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2025. While the release date is still some time away, Broche expressed his team's excitement about the positive reception and anticipation surrounding their debut title.