"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Updates"

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 News

2025

April 3

⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set to delight PC gamers with a spectrum of graphical presets ranging from Low to Epic, while console enthusiasts can select between Performance and Quality modes. The game has been confirmed as PS5 Pro Enhanced, though specific details remain under wraps. Xbox players 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 collect all 33 music records.

Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Reveals Graphics Settings, Trophy Expectations, and Xbox Pre-Load Info Ahead of Launch

March 24

⚫︎ Sandfall Interactive has announced that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will forgo a traditional minimap, opting instead for a compass to enhance the sense of exploration. Producer Francois Meurisse explained that this design choice aligns with the game's narrative, where players embark on an expedition into unknown territories, mirroring the uncertainty faced by previous explorers. "They don’t have a map because every previous expedition failed," Meurisse noted, emphasizing the immersive experience of feeling truly lost.

Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won't have a mini map to preserve its sense of discovery, says producer

March 21

⚫︎ Guillaume Broche, the director behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, started the project in 2019 driven by his passion for turn-based RPGs. Feeling a personal "starvation" for new titles in the genre, Broche drew inspiration from classics like Final Fantasy, Lost Odyssey, and FromSoftware's Sekiro, aiming to create a game that blends strategic combat with skill-based mechanics.

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

March 19

⚫︎ In a recent interview, producer Francois Meurisse highlighted how Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 combines 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 the French developer Sandfall Interactive’s vision for a unique visual and mechanical experience. The game draws inspiration from Final Fantasy, while incorporating 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

March 3

⚫︎ Ahead of its release, gaming media outlets were treated to playable demos of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. The game's turn-based combat system has been praised as an innovative evolution, paying homage to the great JRPGs of the past while introducing new elements.

Read more: How Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s turn-based combat pays homage to all-time great JRPGs

January 30

⚫︎ Before even hitting the shelves, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has secured a movie adaptation. Sandfall Interactive has teamed up with Story Kitchen, known for their work on projects like Sonic and the upcoming Dredge movie. While details on the director and cast are yet to be 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

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 expressed his delight at the game's positive reception and hopes players will "break the game" with creative builds, aspiring for Expedition 33 to leave a lasting impact akin to the RPGs that inspired it.

Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Wears Its FF and Persona Influences on Its Sleeves

July 30

⚫︎ Creative director Guillaume Broche revealed that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 draws inspiration from real-world art and literature, with its title referencing the Clair Obscur artistic movement of 17th-18th century France and its story influenced by the novel La Horde du Contrevent. Broche emphasized the game's commitment to 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