Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 News
2025
April 3
⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 offers PC players a variety of graphical settings ranging from Low to Epic, while console users can select between Performance and Quality modes. The game is confirmed to be enhanced for the PS5 Pro, though specific details remain under wraps. Xbox enthusiasts 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, with 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 decided that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will not include a minimap, instead opting for a compass to guide players. Producer Francois Meurisse explained that this choice enhances the exploration aspect of the game, steering away from reliance on UI elements. This design also aligns with the game's narrative, where players are part of an expedition into unknown territories, following in the footsteps of failed explorers. "They don’t have a map because every previous expedition failed," Meurisse noted, emphasizing the sense of uncertainty players should feel.
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, began the project in 2019 driven by a personal passion for new turn-based RPGs. Inspired by classics like Final Fantasy, Lost Odyssey, and FromSoftware's Sekiro, Broche aimed to blend strategic combat with skill-based mechanics, hoping to appeal to others who share his enthusiasm for 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
⚫︎ In a recent interview, producer Francois Meurisse emphasized Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's unique combination of turn-based strategy and challenging, off-rhythm enemy attacks. While rooted in JRPG traditions, the game stands out with its Belle Epoque-inspired art style, showcasing Sandfall Interactive’s commitment to a visually and mechanically unique experience. The game draws inspiration from classic Final Fantasy titles while integrating real-time defensive mechanics from Sekiro and action point-based skills reminiscent of deckbuilders.
Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is Sekiro Meets Belle Époque Meets JRPG (Game8)
March 3
⚫︎ Gaming News Media were granted access to playable demos of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 ahead of its release, and many praised the game's innovative turn-based combat system, which evolves from and pays homage to the great JRPGs that came before it.
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 release, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set to be adapted into a movie. Developer Sandfall Interactive has teamed up with Story Kitchen, known for game-to-film adaptations like Sonic and the upcoming Dredge movie. Although no director or cast has been announced, 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 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. A fan of the genre, Broche aimed to create a turn-based RPG with high-fidelity graphics, integrating 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 with the game's positive reception and hopes players will "break the game" with creative builds, aspiring for Expedition 33 to have a lasting impact similar to the RPGs that inspired him.
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 is inspired by real-world art and literature, with its title reflecting the Clair Obscur artistic movement from 17th-18th century France and its story influenced by the novel La Horde du Contrevent. Broche highlighted the game's emphasis on high-fidelity visuals and its innovative reactive turn-based battle system. Drawing influence from Souls games, Devil May Cry, and NieR, the game seeks to modernize turn-based RPG combat.
Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Historical Roots and Innovations (Game8)
