Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 News
2025
April 3
⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 offers PC players a variety of graphical presets ranging from Low to Epic, while console users can choose between Performance and Quality modes. The game has been confirmed as PS5 Pro Enhanced, though the exact specifications remain undisclosed. Xbox players can now pre-load the game ahead of its global launch on April 24 at 12 AM PT / 3 AM ET. The title will feature 56 achievements and trophies, including challenges 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 announced that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will not feature a minimap, opting instead for a compass to guide navigation. Producer Francois Meurisse explained that this decision aims to promote exploration over reliance on UI elements. This choice is deeply intertwined with the game's narrative, where players embark on an expedition into the unknown, following in the footsteps of past explorers who failed. "They don’t have a map because every previous expedition failed," Meurisse stated, emphasizing the intended feeling of uncertainty and discovery for players.
Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won't have a mini map to preserve its sense of discovery, says producer (PC Gamer)
March 21
⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's director, Guillaume Broche, began development in 2019 as a passion project, driven by his hunger for new turn-based RPGs. Inspired by Final Fantasy, Lost Odyssey, and FromSoftware titles like Sekiro, Broche aimed to combine strategic combat with skill-based mechanics, believing that if he wanted such games, others would too.
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
⚫︎ In a recent interview, producer Francois Meurisse discussed Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's unique fusion of turn-based strategy and challenging, off-rhythm enemy attacks. While rooted in JRPG traditions, the game stands out with its Belle Epoque-inspired art style, showcasing Sandfall Interactive’s vision for a visually and mechanically distinct experience. The game draws inspiration from classic Final Fantasy titles, incorporating real-time defensive mechanics influenced by Sekiro and action point-based skills inspired by deckbuilders.
Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is Sekiro Meets Belle Époque Meets JRPG (Game8)
March 3
⚫︎ Gaming News Media had the opportunity to experience playable demos of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 ahead of its release, and many were impressed by the game's innovative turn-based combat system. This system represents an evolution and combination of elements from some of the greatest JRPGs, paying homage to its predecessors while carving out its own unique identity.
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 its release, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set to be adapted into a movie. Sandfall Interactive has partnered with Story Kitchen, the studio behind game-to-film adaptations like Sonic and the upcoming Dredge movie. Although no director or cast has been announced yet, producers Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg, and Elena Sandoval are involved in the project. Story Kitchen is excited about bringing the game's rich narrative and complex characters to the big screen.
Read more: Clair Obscur is Getting Its Own Live-Action Movie (GameRant)
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. As a dedicated fan of the genre, Broche aimed to create a turn-based RPG with high-fidelity graphics, blending 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 was overwhelmed by the game's positive reception and hopes that players will "break the game" with creative builds. The development team aspires for Expedition 33 to have a lasting impact, similar to the RPGs that influenced them.
Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Wears Its FF and Persona Influences on Its Sleeves (Game8)
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 highlighted the game's focus on high-fidelity visuals and its innovative reactive turn-based battle system. The game also takes cues from Souls games, Devil May Cry, and NieR, aiming to modernize turn-based RPG combat.
Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Historical Roots and Innovations (Game8)
