"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Update"

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 News

2025

April 3

⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 offers PC players a diverse array of graphical presets, ranging from Low to Epic, allowing for customizable visual experiences. Console players can opt for either Performance or Quality modes. Notably, the game is PS5 Pro Enhanced, though detailed specifications remain undisclosed. Xbox enthusiasts can pre-load the game in anticipation of its global launch on April 24 at 12 AM PT / 3 AM ET. The game will feature 56 achievements and trophies, with challenges that include 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 forego a minimap, instead employing a compass to guide players. This design choice, as explained by producer Francois Meurisse, aims to enhance the exploration experience and reduce reliance on UI elements. This decision aligns with the game's narrative, where players join an expedition into the unknown, mirroring the journeys of past explorers who were unsuccessful. "They don’t have a map because every previous expedition failed," Meurisse noted, emphasizing the game's theme of venturing into uncharted territory.

Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won't have a mini map to preserve its sense of discovery, says producer (PC Gamer)

March 21

⚫︎ Guillaume Broche, the director of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, embarked on the project in 2019 driven by his desire for new turn-based RPGs. His vision was fueled by classics like Final Fantasy, Lost Odyssey, and FromSoftware's Sekiro, aiming to fuse strategic combat with skill-based gameplay.

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 delved into Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's innovative approach, blending turn-based strategy with unpredictable enemy attacks. Rooted in JRPG traditions, the game stands out with its Belle Epoque-inspired art style, showcasing Sandfall Interactive's commitment to a unique visual and gameplay experience. The game draws from Final Fantasy while integrating real-time defensive mechanics reminiscent of 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

⚫︎ Ahead of its release, gaming media were treated to playable demos of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, with many praising the game's innovative turn-based combat system. This system is seen as an evolution, combining elements from iconic JRPGs into a fresh and engaging 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

⚫︎ Even before its release, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is slated for a movie adaptation. Sandfall Interactive has teamed up with Story Kitchen, known for their work on game-to-film adaptations like Sonic and the upcoming Dredge movie. 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 narrative depth and character complexity to the big screen.

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

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. Aiming to blend high-fidelity graphics with real-time reaction-based combat and strategic depth, the game allows players to switch party members in the open world and use traversal abilities to solve puzzles. Broche, a devoted fan of the genre, hopes players will experiment with creative builds, expressing his desire for the game to have a lasting impact similar to the RPGs that inspired him.

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 from real-world art and literature, with its title inspired by the 17th-18th century French artistic movement, Clair Obscur, and its narrative influenced by the novel La Horde du Contrevent. The game emphasizes high-fidelity visuals and introduces an innovative reactive turn-based battle system, taking cues from Souls games, Devil May Cry, and NieR to modernize the traditional RPG combat experience.

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