"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Updates"

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 News

2025

April 3

⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 offers PC players a variety of graphical settings ranging from Low to Epic, while console gamers can select between Performance and Quality modes. The game is officially PS5 Pro Enhanced, though specific details remain under wraps. Xbox enthusiasts can start pre-loading the game ahead of its worldwide launch scheduled for April 24 at 12 AM PT / 3 AM ET. The game will feature 56 achievements and trophies, challenging players to complete 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 announced that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will not feature a minimap, instead using a compass to guide players. This design choice, according to producer Francois Meurisse, aims to enhance the exploration aspect of the game, steering away from reliance on UI elements. This decision also aligns with the game's storyline, where players join an expedition into uncharted territories, following the paths of unsuccessful explorers. "They don’t have a map because every previous expedition failed," Meurisse explained, emphasizing the immersive experience of feeling as lost as the 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 director of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Guillaume Broche, initiated the project in 2019, driven by his passion for turn-based RPGs. Inspired by classics like Final Fantasy, Lost Odyssey, and FromSoftware's Sekiro, Broche set out to create a game that combines strategic gameplay with skill-based mechanics, catering to fellow enthusiasts of the 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 discussed Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's innovative blend of turn-based strategy and challenging enemy attacks that defy traditional timing. Rooted in JRPG traditions, the game stands out with its Belle Epoque-inspired visuals, showcasing Sandfall Interactive’s commitment to a unique aesthetic and gameplay experience. The game draws from classic Final Fantasy titles while integrating real-time defensive maneuvers inspired by Sekiro and action point-based skills reminiscent of deckbuilders.

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

March 3

⚫︎ Before its official launch, gaming media had the opportunity to try out playable demos of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Critics praised the game's turn-based combat system as a fresh evolution, skillfully merging elements from the best JRPGs of the past.

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

January 30

⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is already slated for a movie adaptation even before its release. Sandfall Interactive has teamed up with Story Kitchen, known for adaptations such as Sonic and the upcoming Dredge film. While details on the director and cast are yet to be revealed, 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.

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

2024

August 29

⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is heavily influenced by classic turn-based RPGs, with creative director Guillaume Broche drawing inspiration from Final Fantasy VIII-X, Persona, and Octopath Traveler. As a devoted fan of the genre, Broche aimed to develop a turn-based RPG with stunning graphics, integrating real-time reaction-based combat with strategic depth. Players can switch party members in the open world and use unique traversal abilities to solve puzzles. Overwhelmed by the positive reception, Broche hopes players will experiment with innovative builds to "break the game." The development team aspires for Expedition 33 to have a lasting impact, similar 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 is inspired by real-world art and literature, with its name derived from 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 graphics and an innovative reactive turn-based battle system, drawing from titles like Souls games, Devil May Cry, and NieR to bring a modern twist to traditional RPG combat.

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