Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Updates

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 News

2025

April 3

⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will provide PC players with a diverse selection of graphical presets ranging from Low to Epic, ensuring customizable visual experiences. Console gamers can opt for either Performance or Quality modes. The game has been officially designated as PS5 Pro Enhanced, though specific details remain under wraps. Xbox enthusiasts can start pre-loading the game in anticipation of its global launch scheduled for April 24 at 12 AM PT / 3 AM ET. The game features 56 achievements and trophies, challenging players with tasks 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

March 24

⚫︎ Sandfall Interactive has announced that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will forgo a traditional minimap in favor of a compass to guide players, promoting a deeper sense of exploration. Producer Francois Meurisse explained this design choice enhances the narrative immersion, where players join an expedition into uncharted territories, mirroring the experiences of past explorers who left no maps behind. "They don’t have a map because every previous expedition failed," Meurisse noted, emphasizing the feeling of being lost and uncertain as integral to the game's atmosphere.

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

March 21

⚫︎ The director of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Guillaume Broche, embarked on this project in 2019, driven by a personal craving for new turn-based RPGs. Inspired by classics like Final Fantasy, Lost Odyssey, and FromSoftware's Sekiro, Broche aimed to fuse strategic gameplay with skill-based mechanics, hoping to fill a niche he felt was underserved.

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 discussed Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's unique gameplay mechanics, blending turn-based strategy with challenging, off-rhythm enemy attacks. While rooted in JRPG traditions, the game sets itself apart with a Belle Epoque-inspired art style. Sandfall Interactive aimed to create a visually and mechanically distinctive experience, drawing from Final Fantasy, while integrating real-time defensive elements from Sekiro and action point-based skills inspired by deckbuilders.

Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is Sekiro Meets Belle Époque Meets JRPG

March 3

⚫︎ Ahead of its release, playable demos of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 have impressed gaming media with its innovative turn-based combat system. The game pays homage to legendary JRPGs while pushing the boundaries with its unique mechanics, earning praise for its evolution of the genre.

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

January 30

⚫︎ Before its launch, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has already secured a movie adaptation. Sandfall Interactive has teamed up with Story Kitchen, known for their work on Sonic and the upcoming Dredge film. Though no director or cast has been announced yet, the project is being spearheaded by producers Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg, and Elena Sandoval. Story Kitchen is eager to bring the game's compelling narrative and intricate characters to the big screen.

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

2024

August 29

⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 takes significant inspiration from classic turn-based RPGs, with creative director Guillaume Broche citing Final Fantasy VIII-X, Persona, and Octopath Traveler as key influences. As a dedicated fan of the genre, Broche aimed to craft a turn-based RPG with high-fidelity graphics, combining real-time reaction-based combat with strategic depth. Players can switch party members in the open world and use traversal abilities to solve puzzles. Overwhelmed by the game's positive reception, Broche hopes players will "break the game" with creative builds. The development team aspires for Expedition 33 to have a lasting impact, akin to the RPGs that inspired them.

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 the game's title referencing the Clair Obscur artistic movement of 17th-18th century France, and its narrative influenced by the novel La Horde du Contrevent. Broche emphasized the game's commitment to high-fidelity visuals and an innovative reactive turn-based battle system. The game seeks to modernize turn-based RPG combat, drawing influence from Souls games, Devil May Cry, and NieR.

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