Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Update

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 News

2025

April 3

⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set to provide PC gamers with a spectrum of graphical options, ranging from Low to Epic settings, while console players can choose between Performance and Quality modes. The game has been confirmed as PS5 Pro Enhanced, although 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, challenging players to defeat bosses without taking damage and to collect 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. This decision, as explained by producer Francois Meurisse, aims to foster a sense of exploration and discovery, aligning with the game’s narrative where players embark on an expedition into the unknown, following the paths of unsuccessful past explorers. "They don’t have a map because every previous expedition failed," Meurisse emphasized, enhancing the immersive experience by mirroring the uncertainty faced by in-game characters.

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 behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, initiated the project in 2019 driven by his desire for new turn-based RPGs. Inspired by classics such as Final Fantasy, Lost Odyssey, and FromSoftware's Sekiro, Broche sought to blend strategic gameplay with skill-based mechanics, addressing a niche he believed was underserved in the gaming market.

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 an insightful interview, producer Francois Meurisse discussed Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's innovative gameplay, merging turn-based strategy with challenging, off-rhythm enemy attacks. Rooted in JRPG traditions, the game stands out with its Belle Epoque-inspired art style, a nod to Sandfall Interactive's aim for a visually and mechanically unique experience. Drawing from classic Final Fantasy games, it integrates 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

⚫︎ Ahead of its release, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been showcased through playable demos to gaming media, earning praise for its innovative turn-based combat system. Critics have lauded it as an evolution of the genre, skillfully combining elements from iconic JRPGs to create a fresh yet familiar experience.

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 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, to bring the game to life in a live-action format. 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 capture the game's compelling narrative and intricate character dynamics in a cinematic setting.

Read more: Clair Obscur is Getting Its Own Live-Action Movie (GameRant)

2024

August 29

⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is deeply influenced by classic turn-based RPGs, with creative director Guillaume Broche drawing inspiration from Final Fantasy VIII-X, Persona, and Octopath Traveler. A passionate fan of the genre, Broche's vision was to craft a turn-based RPG with stunning high-fidelity graphics that seamlessly blends real-time combat with strategic depth. The game allows players to switch party members in the open world and utilize traversal abilities to solve puzzles. Overwhelmed by the game's positive reception, Broche hopes players will "break the game" with innovative 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 draws from real-world art and literature, with its name inspired by the 17th-18th century French artistic movement Clair Obscur, and its story influenced by the novel La Horde du Contrevent. The game emphasizes high-fidelity visuals and introduces an innovative reactive turn-based battle system, taking cues from Souls games, Devil May Cry, and NieR to modernize the traditional turn-based RPG combat.

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