Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 News
2025
April 3
⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set to offer PC players a variety of graphical settings, ranging from Low to Epic, ensuring a customizable experience. Console gamers will have the choice between Performance and Quality modes. The game has been confirmed to be PS5 Pro Enhanced, although specific details on the enhancements remain undisclosed. Xbox enthusiasts can now pre-load the game, preparing for the global launch scheduled for April 24 at 12 AM PT / 3 AM ET. The title will feature 56 achievements and trophies, challenging players with tasks such as defeating bosses without taking damage and collecting all 33 music records.
Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Reveals Graphics Settings, Trophy Expectations, and Xbox Pre-Load Info Ahead of Launch (Noisy Pixel)
March 24
⚫︎ Sandfall Interactive has announced that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will not feature a minimap, opting instead for a compass to guide players. Producer Francois Meurisse explained that this choice is designed to enhance the exploration aspect of the game, encouraging players to venture into the unknown without relying on UI elements. This decision is deeply integrated into the narrative, where players follow the path of failed expeditions, mirroring their uncertainty. "They don’t have a map because every previous expedition failed," Meurisse emphasized, aiming to immerse players in the same sense of discovery and uncertainty as their in-game characters.
Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won't have a mini map to preserve its sense of discovery, says producer (PC Gamer)
March 21
⚫︎ Guillaume Broche, the director of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, started the project in 2019, driven by a passion for new turn-based RPGs. His desire for fresh experiences in this genre led to the game's development, drawing inspiration from classics like Final Fantasy, Lost Odyssey, and FromSoftware's Sekiro. Broche's vision was to blend strategic turn-based combat with skill-based mechanics, offering a unique gaming experience.
Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's director was 'starving for new turn-based RPGs,' and figured if he wanted them, there would be others out there who'd want to play his game (PC Gamer)
March 19
⚫︎ Producer Francois Meurisse discussed Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's innovative approach to gameplay, combining turn-based strategy with challenging, off-rhythm enemy attacks. Rooted in JRPG traditions, the game stands out with its Belle Epoque-inspired art style, reflecting Sandfall Interactive's aim to create a visually and mechanically distinctive experience. The game draws from classic Final Fantasy titles while integrating real-time defensive mechanics from Sekiro and action point-based skills from deckbuilders.
Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is Sekiro Meets Belle Époque Meets JRPG (Game8)
March 3
⚫︎ Ahead of its release, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was showcased through playable demos to gaming media, earning praise for its unique take on turn-based combat. The game is seen as an evolution and homage to the great JRPGs that came before it, offering a fresh yet familiar experience.
Read more: How Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s turn-based combat pays homage to all-time great JRPGs (Epic Games Store News)
January 30
⚫︎ Even before its release, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set to be adapted into a movie. Sandfall Interactive has partnered with Story Kitchen, known for their work on game-to-film projects like Sonic and the upcoming Dredge movie. While details on the director and cast are yet to be announced, producers Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg, and Elena Sandoval are involved. Story Kitchen is eager to bring the game's rich narrative and complex characters to the big screen.
Read more: Clair Obscur is Getting Its Own Live-Action Movie (GameRant)
2024
August 29
⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 draws significant inspiration from classic turn-based RPGs, with creative director Guillaume Broche citing Final Fantasy VIII-X, Persona, and Octopath Traveler as key influences. As a fan of the genre, Broche aimed to create a turn-based RPG with high-fidelity graphics, integrating real-time reaction-based combat with strategic depth. Players can switch party members in the open world and use traversal abilities to solve puzzles. Broche expressed his delight at the game's positive reception and 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 it.
Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Wears Its FF and Persona Influences on Its Sleeves (Game8)
July 30
⚫︎ Creative director Guillaume Broche revealed that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 draws inspiration from real-world art and literature, with its title referencing the Clair Obscur artistic movement of 17th-18th century France and its story influenced by the novel La Horde du Contrevent. The game focuses on high-fidelity visuals and introduces an innovative reactive turn-based battle system. Influences from Souls games, Devil May Cry, and NieR are evident, as the game seeks to modernize turn-based RPG combat.
Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Historical Roots and Innovations (Game8)
