Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Update

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 News

2025

April 3

⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 offers PC players a variety of graphical presets ranging from Low to Epic, while console users can select between Performance and Quality modes. The game is confirmed to be PS5 Pro Enhanced, though specific details are yet to be revealed. Xbox players can now pre-load the game ahead of its global launch scheduled for April 24 at 12 AM PT / 3 AM ET. The game will feature 56 achievements and trophies, including challenges such as 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, opting instead for a compass to guide navigation. Producer Francois Meurisse explained that this decision aims to foster a sense of exploration rather than dependence on UI elements. This choice is deeply integrated with the game's narrative, where players embark on an expedition into uncharted territories, following the paths of previous explorers who did not return. "They don’t have a map because every previous expedition failed," Meurisse emphasized, highlighting the immersive experience of feeling lost and uncertain alongside 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 director of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Guillaume Broche, shared that his passion for new turn-based RPGs led him to start the project in 2019. Inspired by classics like Final Fantasy, Lost Odyssey, and FromSoftware's Sekiro, Broche aimed to create a game that combines strategic combat with skill-based mechanics, fulfilling a need he felt was missing in the market.

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 discussed how Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 blends turn-based strategy with challenging, off-rhythm enemy attacks. Rooted in JRPG traditions, the game stands out with its Belle Epoque-inspired art style, showcasing Sandfall Interactive’s commitment to a visually and mechanically unique experience. The game draws inspiration from classic Final Fantasy titles while integrating real-time defensive mechanics from Sekiro and action point-based skills reminiscent of deckbuilders.

March 3

⚫︎ Ahead of its release, playable demos of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 were provided to gaming media, who praised the game's innovative turn-based combat system. It's seen as an evolution and homage to the great JRPGs that came before it, blending traditional elements with fresh mechanics.

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 set to be adapted into a movie. Sandfall Interactive has teamed up with Story Kitchen, known for projects like Sonic and the upcoming 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 involved. Story Kitchen is eager to bring the game's compelling narrative and intricate characters to the big screen.

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 dedicated fan of the genre, Broche envisioned 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. Broche expressed his delight at the game's positive reception, hoping players would experiment with creative builds to "break the game." The development team aspires for Expedition 33 to have a lasting impact similar to the RPGs that influenced them.

July 30

⚫︎ Creative director Guillaume Broche revealed that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 draws inspiration from real-world art and literature. The game's title references the 17th-18th century French Clair Obscur artistic movement, while its narrative is influenced by the novel La Horde du Contrevent. Broche highlighted the game's emphasis on high-fidelity visuals and its innovative reactive turn-based battle system, drawing from influences like Souls games, Devil May Cry, and NieR, to modernize the turn-based RPG genre.