Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Updates

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 News

2025

April 3

⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set to deliver an immersive experience for PC players with graphical options ranging from Low to Epic. Console gamers can select between Performance and Quality modes, with the game being PS5 Pro Enhanced, though specific details remain undisclosed. Xbox enthusiasts can now pre-load the game in anticipation of its worldwide launch on April 24 at 12 AM PT / 3 AM ET. The game boasts an impressive array of 56 achievements and trophies, challenging players to feats 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 made a bold move with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 by excluding a minimap, opting for a compass to guide players. Producer Francois Meurisse explained that this choice was to foster a genuine sense of exploration, aligning with the game's narrative of an expedition into uncharted territories. Meurisse emphasized, "They don’t have a map because every previous expedition failed," enhancing the game's immersive experience by making players feel as lost and uncertain as their 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

⚫︎ The inception of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stemmed from director Guillaume Broche's passion for turn-based RPGs. Feeling a dearth of new entries in the genre, Broche embarked on this project in 2019, inspired by classics like Final Fantasy, Lost Odyssey, and FromSoftware's Sekiro. His goal was to create a game that blends strategic combat with skill-based mechanics, offering a fresh take on the beloved 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

⚫︎ Producer Francois Meurisse showcased Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's unique blend of turn-based strategy and challenging, unpredictable enemy attacks. Rooted in JRPG traditions, the game stands out with its Belle Epoque-inspired art style, a testament to Sandfall Interactive's vision. The game draws from Final Fantasy, while integrating real-time defensive mechanics from Sekiro and action point-based skills inspired by deckbuilders, creating a distinct experience.

March 3

⚫︎ Ahead of its release, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has garnered praise from gaming media who experienced its playable demos. The game's turn-based combat system is lauded as an evolution, paying homage to the great JRPGs of the past while introducing innovative mechanics.

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 be adapted into a movie. Sandfall Interactive has teamed up with Story Kitchen, known for their work on Sonic and the upcoming Dredge film. While details on the director and cast are pending, producers Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg, and Elena Sandoval are on board. Story Kitchen is eager to bring the game's compelling narrative and intricate characters to the big screen.

2024

August 29

⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 draws significant inspiration from classic turn-based RPGs, with creative director Guillaume Broche citing influences from Final Fantasy VIII-X, Persona, and Octopath Traveler. Aiming to blend high-fidelity graphics with real-time reaction-based combat and strategic depth, Broche's vision is to create a game where players can switch party members in the open world and use traversal abilities to solve puzzles. The positive reception has overwhelmed Broche, who 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.

July 30

⚫︎ Creative director Guillaume Broche revealed that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is inspired by real-world art and literature, with its title referencing the 17th-18th century French artistic movement Clair Obscur and its narrative influenced by the novel La Horde du Contrevent. The game focuses on high-fidelity visuals and introduces an innovative reactive turn-based battle system, drawing from Souls games, Devil May Cry, and NieR to modernize the genre.