Unveiling Clair Obscur: A Historical and Innovative Journey from Expedition 33

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: A Blend of History and Innovative Gameplay

Sandfall Interactive's debut title, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, promises a unique gaming experience, drawing inspiration from both historical movements and modern action RPGs. This article delves into the game's creative influences and innovative gameplay mechanics, as revealed by founder and creative director Guillaume Broche.

Historical Influences and Narrative Design

The game's name itself reflects a key influence: "Clair Obscur," a 17th-18th century French artistic and cultural movement, informs the game's visual style and overarching world. "Expedition 33" refers to a series of annual expeditions led by protagonist Gustave to defeat the Paintress, a being who uses a process called "Gommage" to erase individuals from existence by painting numbers on a monolith. The death of Gustave's partner after the Paintress paints the number 33 sets the stage for the game's narrative. Broche cites the fantasy novel La Horde du Contrevent and the anime/manga Attack on Titan as further inspirations, highlighting the appeal of stories about perilous journeys into the unknown.

Reimagining Turn-Based Combat

Broche notes a gap in the market for high-fidelity turn-based RPGs, a void Clair Obscur aims to fill. While acknowledging predecessors like Valkyria Chronicles and Project X Zone, the game introduces a reactive turn-based battle system. Players strategize during their turns, but must react in real-time to enemy attacks during the opponent's turn, dodging, jumping, or parrying to trigger powerful counterattacks. The design borrows from the rewarding combat systems of action games such as the Souls series, Devil May Cry, and NieR, adapting their fluidity to a turn-based framework.

A Look Ahead

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 blends historical inspiration with innovative gameplay, promising a unique RPG experience. The combination of high-fidelity graphics and a reactive turn-based combat system offers a fresh take on the genre. Scheduled for release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2025, the game has already generated considerable excitement, and the developers eagerly anticipate sharing more details in the coming months.