Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 News
2025
April 3
⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set to provide PC gamers with a spectrum of graphical settings, ranging from Low to Epic. Console enthusiasts can opt for either Performance or Quality modes. Notably, the game will be PS5 Pro Enhanced, though specific details remain under wraps. Xbox users can already pre-load the game in anticipation of its worldwide release on April 24 at 12 AM PT / 3 AM ET. The game promises 56 achievements and trophies, with challenges such as defeating bosses without taking damage and collecting all 33 music records.
March 24
⚫︎ Sandfall Interactive has announced that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will forego a minimap in favor of a compass to guide players. Producer Francois Meurisse explained this design choice as a means to foster exploration and a deeper connection to the game's narrative. Players will feel as lost and uncertain as their characters, mirroring the fate of previous expeditions into the unknown. "They don’t have a map because every previous expedition failed," Meurisse noted, emphasizing the immersive experience.
Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won't have a mini map to preserve its sense of discovery, says producer
March 21
⚫︎ Guillaume Broche, director of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, began the project in 2019 out of a personal craving for new turn-based RPGs. Inspired by classics like Final Fantasy, Lost Odyssey, and FromSoftware's Sekiro, Broche aimed to create a game that melds strategic combat with skill-based mechanics, catering to fellow enthusiasts of the genre.
March 19
⚫︎ In a recent discussion, producer Francois Meurisse shed light on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's innovative blend of turn-based strategy and dynamic enemy attacks. Rooted in JRPG traditions, the game sets itself apart with a Belle Epoque-inspired art style, showcasing Sandfall Interactive's vision for a unique visual and mechanical experience. Drawing from Final Fantasy, the game also integrates real-time defensive tactics inspired by Sekiro and action point-based skills reminiscent of deckbuilders.
Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is Sekiro Meets Belle Époque Meets JRPG
March 3
⚫︎ Ahead of its release, gaming media had the chance to experience playable demos of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The game's turn-based combat system was highlighted as a notable evolution, paying homage to and building upon the legacy of classic JRPGs, impressing critics with its innovative approach.
Read more: How Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s turn-based combat pays homage to all-time great JRPGs
January 30
⚫︎ Even before hitting the shelves, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set to become a cinematic experience. Sandfall Interactive has teamed up with Story Kitchen, known for adapting games like Sonic and the upcoming Dredge movie, to bring the game's story to life on the big screen. While details on the director and cast are pending, the project is led by producers Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg, and Elena Sandoval, who are eager to translate the game's rich narrative and complex characters into film.
Read more: Clair Obscur is Getting Its Own Live-Action Movie
2024
August 29
⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 draws significant inspiration from classic turn-based RPGs, with creative director Guillaume Broche citing influences from Final Fantasy VIII-X, Persona, and Octopath Traveler. Aiming to blend high-fidelity graphics with real-time, reaction-based combat and strategic depth, players can switch party members in the open world and utilize traversal abilities to solve puzzles. Broche, a long-time fan of the genre, hopes that players will "break the game" with creative builds, aspiring for Expedition 33 to leave a lasting impact similar to the RPGs that inspired him.
Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Wears Its FF and Persona Influences on Its Sleeves
July 30
⚫︎ Creative director Guillaume Broche revealed that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is deeply influenced by real-world art and literature, with its title reflecting the Clair Obscur artistic movement from 17th-18th century France, and its narrative inspired by the novel La Horde du Contrevent. The game emphasizes high-fidelity visuals and introduces an innovative reactive turn-based battle system. Drawing from Souls games, Devil May Cry, and NieR, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 aims to bring a fresh take on turn-based RPG combat.
Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Historical Roots and Innovations
