Discover the inspirations behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and get a glimpse of its first character trailer.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Ramping Up Towards Its Release
Building the Heritage of JRPGs
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an eagerly anticipated turn-based RPG that blends unique real-time mechanics for an immersive and interactive experience. The game draws heavily on the legacy of classic JRPGs, especially the Final Fantasy series, which has significantly influenced its mechanics and thematic elements. During the 2025 Game Developers Conference, GamesRadar+ had the opportunity to speak with François Meurisse, the producer of Expedition 33, who shed light on the game's inspirations.
Meurisse highlighted that Final Fantasy titles such as Final Fantasy 7, 8, 9, and 10 played a crucial role in shaping Expedition 33. "These games were significant during Guillaume [Broche], our game director's, childhood," he explained. "He aimed to capture the essence of those games while imagining what a modern, turn-based Final Fantasy would feel like. However, he also incorporated a variety of other inspirations. JRPGs and Final Fantasy are undoubtedly the cornerstone of our gameplay heritage."
While the gameplay is deeply rooted in JRPG traditions, Meurisse stressed the team's desire to forge their own path with unique art direction. "For the art style, we deliberately avoided copying Japanese games, particularly those with manga or anime aesthetics," he noted. "Instead, we drew from the early 20th century Belle Époque and art deco styles, infusing them with high fantasy elements. It took several iterations to find our unique visual identity, but it allowed us to differentiate our game effectively."
Other Inspirations
Beyond JRPGs, Expedition 33 also takes inspiration from souls-like games, specifically Sekiro, for its defensive mechanics. Meurisse elaborated, "Our defense system is heavily influenced by Sekiro and From Software's games, incorporating rhythm and real-time elements to make it more skill-based."
Additionally, the game introduces mechanics inspired by deckbuilding games for its battle sequences. "We opted for an action point system for skills in battles, drawing more from deckbuilding games rather than traditional magic points or mana systems found in many RPGs," Meurisse explained.
First Character Trailer
As the release date approaches, Expedition 33 is set to unveil its characters weekly. On March 13, the game's official Twitter (X) account released a trailer introducing Gustave, the resourceful and dedicated engineer from Lumière. Gustave is poised to lead Expedition 33 in their mission to defeat the Paintress and prevent her from painting death again.
The trailer showcases Gustave wielding a sword and pistol as his main combat tools. In the overworld, he is seen navigating and leaping across various terrains. Combat footage reveals Gustave dealing significant damage to enemies with a variety of skills at his disposal. While the developers have yet to reveal detailed information about character roles and mechanics, the anticipation continues to build.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is scheduled for release on April 24, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates by following our coverage!
