Sandfall Interactive's founder and creative director, Guillaume Broche, has provided an insightful look into the upcoming game, *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33*. This game promises to blend historical influences with innovative gameplay, set to captivate fans of RPGs and beyond.
Real-world Influences and Gameplay Innovation
Inspiration Behind the Name and Narrative
On July 29, Guillaume Broche shared the real-world influences shaping *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33*. The game's title draws from the French artistic and cultural movement, *Clair Obscur*, which flourished during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. This movement not only inspired the game's artistic direction but also frames the overarching world within the game.
The latter part of the title, *Expedition 33*, directly relates to the in-game narrative where protagonist Gustave leads an annual expedition to confront the Paintress. This antagonist wields the power of the Gommage, a process where she paints a number on her monolith, erasing everyone of that age from existence. The trailer poignantly shows Gustave's partner dying as the Paintress paints the number 33, signifying her age.
Broche further cited *La Horde du Contrevent*, a fantasy novel about a group of explorers, as a narrative influence. He expressed his affinity for stories that delve into the unknown, drawing parallels with popular series like the anime/manga *Attack on Titan*.
Innovating Classic Turn-based RPG
Broche discussed the game's approach to graphics and gameplay, highlighting a gap in the market for high-fidelity turn-based RPGs. "There hasn’t really been any attempt at making a turn-based RPG with high-fidelity graphics for a good while," he noted, expressing his intent to fill this void with *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33*.
While previous games like *Valkyria Chronicles* and *Project X Zone* experimented with real-time elements in turn-based systems, *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33* introduces a reactive turn-based battle system. This system allows players to strategize during their turns but demands real-time reactions to enemy actions to dodge, jump, or parry, potentially triggering powerful counterattacks.
Broche drew inspiration from action-packed series like the *Souls* series, *Devil May Cry*, and *NieR*, aiming to integrate their rewarding gameplay mechanics into a turn-based format.
Looking Forward
As *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33* gears up for a 2025 release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, Broche's revelations have stirred excitement among fans. The game's rich narrative, rooted in real-world influences, combined with its innovative reactive battle system and high-fidelity graphics, promises a fresh take on the classic turn-based RPG genre.
In a message to future players, Broche shared his enthusiasm: "We’re glad to see so many fans are excited for the world of *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33*! As our first title, we’re thrilled with the reception we’ve seen so far, and we can’t wait to show more in the lead-up to launch next year."
