Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 News
2025
April 3
⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 promises a diverse range of graphical settings for PC players, ranging from Low to Epic, ensuring a customizable visual experience. Console enthusiasts will enjoy choosing between Performance and Quality modes, with the game set to be PS5 Pro Enhanced, though specific details remain under wraps. Xbox users can now pre-load the game in anticipation of its worldwide release on April 24 at 12 AM PT / 3 AM ET. The game will feature 56 achievements and trophies, challenging players with tasks such as defeating bosses without taking damage and collecting all 33 music records.
March 24
⚫︎ Sandfall Interactive has made a bold decision to exclude a minimap from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, opting instead for a compass to guide players. Producer Francois Meurisse explained that this choice aims to foster a genuine sense of exploration and aligns with the game's narrative of an expedition into uncharted territory. Meurisse stated, "They don’t have a map because every previous expedition failed," emphasizing the immersive experience of venturing into the unknown, just like the characters in the game.
Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won't have a mini map to preserve its sense of discovery, says producer
March 21
⚫︎ Guillaume Broche, the director of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, started the project in 2019 driven by his passion for turn-based RPGs. Feeling a dearth of new titles in the genre, Broche drew inspiration from classics like Final Fantasy, Lost Odyssey, and FromSoftware's Sekiro, aiming to create a game that combines strategic combat with skill-based mechanics, appealing to fans and newcomers alike.
March 19
⚫︎ In an insightful interview, producer Francois Meurisse detailed Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's unique gameplay fusion of turn-based strategy and challenging, off-rhythm enemy attacks. Rooted in JRPG traditions yet distinctive with its Belle Epoque-inspired art, the game aims to deliver a visually and mechanically unique experience. Drawing from classic Final Fantasy titles, it incorporates real-time defensive mechanics 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, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been showcased in playable demos to gaming media, receiving acclaim for its innovative turn-based combat system. The game pays homage to iconic JRPGs while introducing fresh mechanics, setting it apart from its predecessors.
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 has secured a movie adaptation. Sandfall Interactive has teamed up with Story Kitchen, known for projects like Sonic and the upcoming Dredge film. While details on the director and cast remain undisclosed, producers Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg, and Elena Sandoval are on board. Story Kitchen is eager to bring the game's compelling narrative and intricate characters to the big screen.
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 Final Fantasy VIII-X, Persona, and Octopath Traveler as key influences. As a fan of the genre, Broche sought to create a visually stunning turn-based RPG that blends 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 it will encourage players to experiment with creative builds, leaving 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
July 30
⚫︎ Creative director Guillaume Broche highlighted that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 draws from real-world art and literature, with its title inspired by the 17th-18th century French Clair Obscur artistic movement and its narrative influenced by the novel La Horde du Contrevent. Broche emphasized the game's focus on high-fidelity visuals and its innovative reactive turn-based battle system, drawing inspiration from Souls games, Devil May Cry, and NieR to modernize the genre.
Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Historical Roots and Innovations
