Explore the inspirations behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a game that melds the charm of JRPGs with innovative gameplay. Dive in to discover the sources that shaped this unique title and catch a glimpse of its first character trailer.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Ramping Up Towards Its Release
Building the Heritage of JRPGs
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an eagerly anticipated turn-based RPG that introduces real-time mechanics for a richer gaming experience. At its heart, the game echoes the spirit of classic JRPGs, especially the Final Fantasy series, which has significantly influenced its design. During the 2025 Game Developers Conference, GamesRadar+ had the opportunity to discuss with Expedition 33's Producer, François Meurisse, about the game's inspirations.
Meurisse highlighted that the game draws heavily from Final Fantasy 10 and earlier PlayStation entries like Final Fantasy 7, 8, and 9. "These are pivotal childhood games for our game director, Guillaume Broche," Meurisse shared. "He envisioned capturing the essence of what modern Final Fantasy games might have been if they continued with turn-based mechanics. Yet, he also incorporated a variety of other influences. Final Fantasy and JRPGs are the cornerstone of our gameplay heritage."
While the gameplay pays homage to JRPGs, Meurisse stressed the team's desire to craft a unique experience with their own artistic vision. "We chose not to emulate Japanese games with manga or anime-style graphics," he explained. "Our goal was to create a distinct art direction inspired by our own influences. This led us to the early 20th-century Belle Époque style, blending art deco with high fantasy elements. We went through several iterations to carve out our unique identity in the art, which truly set us apart."
Other Inspirations
In addition to JRPGs, Expedition 33 also incorporates elements from souls-like games, specifically Sekiro, in its defense mechanics. Meurisse noted, "Our defense system is inspired by Sekiro and From Software's approach. It introduces a rhythm-based, real-time component that emphasizes skill."
The game also integrates mechanics from deckbuilding games into its battle system. "Instead of traditional magic points or mana, we use action points for skills in battles, a concept borrowed from deckbuilding games," Meurisse added.
First Character Trailer
As the release date approaches, Expedition 33 is set to unveil its characters weekly. On March 13, the game's official Twitter (X) account released a trailer introducing Gustave, the resourceful and dedicated engineer from Lumière, who is poised to lead Expedition 33 in their quest to stop the Paintress from painting death once more.
In the trailer, Gustave is shown wielding a sword and pistol as his main combat tools. He navigates the overworld with agility, jumping between points. Combat footage reveals Gustave delivering heavy damage to enemies with a variety of skills at his disposal. However, specifics about character roles and mechanics are yet to be disclosed by the developers.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is scheduled for release on April 24, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for the latest updates by clicking on our article below!
