Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Update

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 News

2025

April 3

⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set to deliver a visually stunning experience for PC gamers, offering a spectrum of graphical presets ranging from Low to Epic. Console enthusiasts, meanwhile, can opt for either Performance or Quality modes. The game has been confirmed as PS5 Pro Enhanced, though the specifics of these enhancements remain under wraps. Xbox users can start pre-loading the game in anticipation of its global launch on April 24 at 12 AM PT / 3 AM ET. Players can look forward to tackling 56 achievements and trophies, including challenging feats like 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 the bold decision to exclude a minimap from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, opting instead for a compass to guide players. Producer Francois Meurisse elaborated that this choice is intended to foster a true sense of exploration and discovery, aligning with the game's narrative where players embark on an expedition into the unknown, following in the footsteps of those who didn't return. "They don’t have a map because every previous expedition failed," Meurisse explained, emphasizing the immersive experience of feeling as lost and uncertain as the in-game 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 creative journey behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 began as a passion project for director Guillaume Broche, who in 2019 was driven by his hunger for new turn-based RPGs. His vision was to craft a game that would appeal to fellow enthusiasts, drawing inspiration from classics like Final Fantasy, Lost Odyssey, and FromSoftware's Sekiro. Broche aimed to blend strategic combat with skill-based mechanics, creating an engaging experience for players.

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 shed light on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's innovative gameplay, which marries turn-based strategy with challenging, unpredictable enemy attacks. While paying homage to JRPG traditions, the game stands out with its Belle Epoque-inspired art style, a reflection of Sandfall Interactive’s commitment to a unique visual and mechanical identity. The game borrows from Final Fantasy's narrative depth, incorporates Sekiro's real-time defensive mechanics, and introduces action point-based skills reminiscent of deckbuilders.

Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is Sekiro Meets Belle Époque Meets JRPG (Game8)

March 3

⚫︎ Ahead of its launch, gaming media were treated to playable demos of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, leaving many impressed with its evolved turn-based combat system. The game successfully pays homage to its predecessors while pushing the boundaries of what fans expect from JRPGs, combining the best elements from previous titles into a fresh and exciting experience.

Read more: How Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s turn-based combat pays homage to all-time great JRPGs (Epic Games Store News)

January 30

⚫︎ Before even hitting the shelves, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has secured a movie adaptation through a partnership between Sandfall Interactive and Story Kitchen, the studio behind successful game-to-film projects like Sonic and the forthcoming Dredge movie. While details such as the director and cast are yet to be announced, producers Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg, and Elena Sandoval are set to bring the game's rich narrative and complex characters to the big screen. Story Kitchen is eager to translate the game's compelling story into a cinematic experience.

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

2024

August 29

⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 proudly wears its influences on its sleeve, with creative director Guillaume Broche drawing inspiration from iconic turn-based RPGs such as Final Fantasy VIII-X, Persona, and Octopath Traveler. A fervent admirer of the genre, Broche aimed to craft a high-fidelity turn-based RPG that combines real-time, reaction-based combat with deep strategic layers. Players can switch party members in the expansive open world and utilize traversal abilities to solve puzzles. Overwhelmed by the positive reception, Broche hopes that players will "break the game" with inventive builds, aspiring for Expedition 33 to leave a lasting legacy akin to the RPGs that inspired its creation.

Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Wears Its FF and Persona Influences on Its Sleeves (Game8)

July 30

⚫︎ Creative director Guillaume Broche has revealed that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 finds its roots in real-world art and literature, with the game's title echoing the Clair Obscur artistic movement from 17th-18th century France and its narrative drawing from the novel La Horde du Contrevent. Broche's vision is to deliver a game with high-fidelity visuals and an innovative reactive turn-based battle system. Influenced by Souls games, Devil May Cry, and NieR, the game seeks to modernize the turn-based RPG genre.

Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Historical Roots and Innovations (Game8)