Sandfall Interactive's creative director, Guillaume Broche, recently unveiled key details about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a turn-based RPG blending historical influences with innovative gameplay mechanics. The game's title itself draws inspiration from the 17th and 18th-century French artistic movement, "Clair Obscur," impacting both the game's visual style and overarching narrative. "Expedition 33" refers to a recurring group tasked with defeating the Paintress, a villain who erases ages by painting numbers on her monolith – a process referred to as "Gommage." The narrative also takes cues from fantasy novels like La Horde du Contrevent and action-driven stories such as Attack on Titan, focusing on perilous exploration into the unknown.
The game distinguishes itself through its high-fidelity graphics, a rarity in the turn-based RPG genre. Broche highlighted the desire to bridge the gap between classic turn-based strategy and the action-oriented combat found in titles like the Souls series, Devil May Cry, and NieR. This ambition led to the development of a reactive turn-based battle system. Players strategize during their turn but must react in real-time to enemy attacks during the opponent's turn, dodging, jumping, or parrying to unleash powerful counterattacks.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is slated for release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC by 2025. Broche expressed his enthusiasm for the positive reception the game has received and promised more reveals leading up to its launch. The game promises a unique blend of strategic depth and action-packed combat, setting it apart in the turn-based RPG landscape.
