Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 News

2025

April 3

⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set to provide PC players with a variety of graphical settings, ranging from Low to Epic. Console gamers will have the option to choose between Performance and Quality modes. Notably, the game is optimized for the PS5 Pro, though specific details remain under wraps. Xbox enthusiasts can pre-load the game in anticipation of its worldwide launch on April 24 at 12 AM PT / 3 AM ET. The game will feature 56 achievements and trophies, including unique challenges 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 forego a minimap, opting instead for a compass to guide players. Producer Francois Meurisse explained that this choice is designed to enhance exploration and align with the game's narrative, where players are part of an expedition into uncharted territory. Meurisse noted, "They don’t have a map because every previous expedition failed," emphasizing the game's immersive approach to making players feel as lost and uncertain as their in-game counterparts.

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 out of a personal passion for turn-based RPGs. Inspired by titles like Final Fantasy, Lost Odyssey, and FromSoftware's Sekiro, Broche aimed to create a game that blends strategic combat with skill-based mechanics, hoping to satisfy other fans of the genre.

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 elaborated on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's unique gameplay, which combines turn-based strategy with challenging, unpredictable enemy attacks. The game pays homage to JRPG traditions but stands out with its Belle Epoque-inspired art style. Sandfall Interactive aims to offer a visually and mechanically distinct experience, drawing from classic Final Fantasy games and incorporating real-time defensive mechanics inspired by Sekiro, alongside action point-based skills reminiscent of deckbuilders.

Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is Sekiro Meets Belle Époque Meets JRPG (Game8)

March 3

⚫︎ Ahead of its release, gaming media outlets had the chance to experience playable demos of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Critics were impressed with the game's innovative turn-based combat system, which builds upon and evolves the mechanics of its predecessors, paying homage to iconic JRPGs.

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 official launch, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set to be adapted into a movie. Sandfall Interactive has teamed up with Story Kitchen, known for transforming games like Sonic and the upcoming Dredge into films. While details on the director and cast are yet to be revealed, producers Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg, and Elena Sandoval are on board. 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 is heavily inspired by classic turn-based RPGs, with creative director Guillaume Broche citing Final Fantasy VIII-X, Persona, and Octopath Traveler as significant influences. Broche, a dedicated fan of the genre, sought to create a game with high-fidelity graphics that integrates real-time reaction-based combat with strategic depth. Players can switch party members in the open world and use unique traversal abilities to solve puzzles. Broche expressed his delight at the game's positive reception and encouraged players to experiment with creative builds to "break the game." The development team aspires for Expedition 33 to leave 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 (Game8)

July 30

⚫︎ Creative director Guillaume Broche revealed that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 draws inspiration from real-world art and literature, with its name referencing the 17th-18th century French artistic movement Clair Obscur, and its narrative influenced by the novel La Horde du Contrevent. Broche stressed the game's commitment to high-fidelity visuals and its innovative reactive turn-based battle system. The game seeks to modernize turn-based RPG combat, taking cues from Souls games, Devil May Cry, and NieR.

Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Historical Roots and Innovations (Game8)