Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 News
2025
April 3
⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 offers PC players a variety of graphical presets ranging from Low to Epic, while console users can select between Performance and Quality modes. The game is confirmed to be PS5 Pro Enhanced, though specific details remain undisclosed. Xbox players can now pre-load the game in anticipation of its global launch on April 24 at 12 AM PT / 3 AM ET. The title will feature 56 achievements and trophies, including challenges such as defeating bosses without taking damage and collecting all 33 music records.
March 24
⚫︎ Sandfall Interactive has confirmed that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will not include a minimap, choosing instead to implement a compass to enhance navigation. Producer Francois Meurisse explained that this decision aims to encourage exploration over reliance on UI elements. This choice also integrates with the game's narrative, where players embark on an expedition into the unknown, following in the footsteps of unsuccessful past explorers. "They don’t have a map because every previous expedition failed," Meurisse stated, emphasizing the immersive experience of feeling lost and uncertain.
Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won't have a mini map to preserve its sense of discovery, says producer
March 21
⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's director, Guillaume Broche, initiated 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 sought to blend strategic combat with skill-based mechanics, fulfilling a niche he believed others would also appreciate.
March 19
⚫︎ Producer Francois Meurisse highlighted Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's unique combination of turn-based strategy and challenging, off-rhythm enemy attacks. Rooted in JRPG traditions, the game stands out with its Belle Epoque-inspired art style, showcasing Sandfall Interactive's vision for a visually and mechanically distinctive experience. The game draws from classic Final Fantasy titles while incorporating 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, gaming media were granted playable demos of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and many were impressed by the game's evolved turn-based combat system. It pays homage to iconic JRPGs while introducing innovative mechanics that distinguish it 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 its official release, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set to be adapted into a movie. Sandfall Interactive has partnered with Story Kitchen, known for projects like Sonic and the upcoming Dredge movie. While no director or cast has been announced, producers Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg, and Elena Sandoval are involved. 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 heavily draws from classic turn-based RPGs, with creative director Guillaume Broche citing influences from Final Fantasy VIII-X, Persona, and Octopath Traveler. As a fan of the genre, Broche aimed to create a turn-based RPG with high-fidelity graphics, merging 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 was thrilled by the positive feedback and hopes players will "break the game" with innovative builds. The development team aspires for Expedition 33 to have a lasting impact, similar to the RPGs that inspired them.
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 draws inspiration from real-world art and literature, with its title referencing the 17th-18th century French artistic movement Clair Obscur and its story influenced by the novel La Horde du Contrevent. The game focuses on high-fidelity visuals and introduces a reactive turn-based battle system. Influenced by Souls games, Devil May Cry, and NieR, it aims to modernize the turn-based RPG genre.
Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Historical Roots and Innovations
