"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Blends Sekiro, Belle Époque, and JRPG Styles"

Discover the inspirations behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, an upcoming turn-based RPG that blends elements from classic JRPGs, souls-like games, and more. Dive into the first character trailer reveal and learn what makes this game unique.

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 unique real-time mechanics, promising deeper immersion and interaction for players. Drawing heavily from the rich legacy of JRPGs, particularly the Final Fantasy series, the game seeks to capture the essence of these classics while forging its own path. During the 2025 Game Developers Conference, Expedition 33's Producer, François Meurisse, shared insights on the game's inspirations with GamesRadar+.

Meurisse revealed that games like Final Fantasy 10, as well as earlier PlayStation titles such as Final Fantasy 7, 8, and 9, were pivotal influences. "These are significant childhood games for Guillaume [Broche], our game director," he noted. "He aimed to recreate the feeling he believed would persist in modern Final Fantasy games if they had continued with turn-based mechanics. However, he also incorporated a variety of other inspirations. Final Fantasy and JRPGs are the cornerstone of our gameplay heritage."

While the gameplay draws heavily from JRPGs, Meurisse emphasized the team's desire to create a unique experience. "In terms of art style, we didn't want to simply mimic Japanese games with manga or anime-like graphics," he said. "Instead, we aimed to craft an art direction influenced by our own inspirations. This led us to adopt an early 20th-century Belle Époque theme, blending art deco elements with high fantasy. We went through several iterations to carve out our distinct visual identity, which has been crucial in setting our game apart."

Other Inspirations

Beyond JRPGs, Expedition 33 also incorporates elements from souls-like games, notably Sekiro, in its defense mechanics. "The defense system is inspired by Sekiro and From Software's games," Meurisse explained. "It introduces a rhythm element and a more real-time component, making it more skill-based."

Additionally, the game integrates mechanics from deckbuilding games into its battle sequences. "For instance, using action points for skills in battles is more influenced by deckbuilding games than traditional magic points or mana systems in RPGs," Meurisse added.

First Character Trailer

As Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 gears up for its release, the game will introduce new characters weekly. On March 13, the official Twitter (X) account unveiled a trailer featuring Gustave, the resourceful and dedicated engineer from Lumière. Gustave is poised to lead Expedition 33 in their mission to stop the Paintress from painting death ever again.

In the trailer, Gustave is equipped with a sword and pistol as his main combat weapons. He is shown navigating the overworld, jumping between points, and engaging enemies with powerful attacks and a diverse set of skills. While the trailer showcases Gustave's capabilities, the developers have yet to provide detailed information on character roles and related mechanics.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set to launch on April 24, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest news by following our coverage below!