Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 News
2025
April 3
⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set to enhance the gaming experience for PC players with a range of graphical presets from Low to Epic, ensuring everyone can enjoy the game at their preferred settings. Console enthusiasts on PS5 can look forward to choosing between Performance and Quality modes, with the game being PS5 Pro Enhanced, though specific details are yet to be revealed. Meanwhile, Xbox players can start pre-loading the game in anticipation of its global launch on April 24 at 12 AM PT / 3 AM ET. The game promises a rich array of challenges, including 56 achievements and trophies, such as defeating bosses without taking damage and collecting all 33 music records.
March 24
⚫︎ Sandfall Interactive has made a bold choice with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 by opting out of a minimap and instead using a compass to guide players. Producer Francois Meurisse stated this decision aims to deepen the sense of exploration, aligning perfectly with the game's narrative where players follow in the footsteps of unsuccessful past expeditions. "They don’t have a map because every previous expedition failed," Meurisse explained, emphasizing the immersive experience of venturing into the unknown.
Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won't have a mini map to preserve its sense of discovery, says producer
March 21
⚫︎ The passion behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is evident from director Guillaume Broche's personal drive to create new turn-based RPGs. Starting development in 2019 as a passion project, Broche drew inspiration from iconic titles like Final Fantasy, Lost Odyssey, and FromSoftware's Sekiro. His vision was to blend strategic combat with skill-based mechanics, catering to fellow enthusiasts craving fresh experiences in the genre.
March 19
⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stands out with its unique blend of turn-based strategy and challenging, off-rhythm enemy attacks, all set against a Belle Epoque-inspired art style. Producer Francois Meurisse highlighted how the game, while rooted in JRPG traditions, draws from classics like Final Fantasy and incorporates real-time defensive mechanics from Sekiro alongside action point-based skills inspired by deckbuilders, creating a visually and mechanically distinct experience.
Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is Sekiro Meets Belle Époque Meets JRPG
March 3
⚫︎ Ahead of its release, playable demos of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 have left gaming media impressed with its innovative turn-based combat system. The game pays homage to all-time great JRPGs, evolving and combining elements to offer a fresh yet nostalgic experience.
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 make its mark on the big screen. Sandfall Interactive has teamed up with Story Kitchen, known for adapting games like Sonic and the upcoming Dredge movie. While details on the director and cast remain under wraps, the project is led by producers Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg, and Elena Sandoval. Story Kitchen is eager to bring the game's intricate narrative and compelling characters to life in a cinematic format.
Read more: Clair Obscur is Getting Its Own Live-Action Movie
2024
August 29
⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 proudly wears its influences on its sleeve, drawing inspiration from classic turn-based RPGs such as Final Fantasy VIII-X, Persona, and Octopath Traveler. Creative director Guillaume Broche, a fervent fan of the genre, set out to create a game with high-fidelity graphics that combines 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 hopes players will "break the game" with creative builds, aspiring for Expedition 33 to leave a lasting impact akin to the RPGs that inspired him.
Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Wears Its FF and Persona Influences on Its Sleeves
July 30
⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is deeply rooted in art and literature, with its title inspired by the Clair Obscur artistic movement from 17th-18th century France and its narrative influenced by the novel La Horde du Contrevent. Creative director Guillaume Broche emphasized the game's focus on high-fidelity visuals and its innovative reactive turn-based battle system, drawing influence from Souls games, Devil May Cry, and NieR to modernize the genre.
Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Historical Roots and Innovations
