Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Reveals Release Date, Combat Mechanics and More

Sandfall Interactive recently unveiled crucial details about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 during Xbox's Developer Direct, including the release date, character roster, and innovative combat system. Let's dive into the exciting news!

Confront the Paintress's Madness: April 24, 2025

Set in a Belle Epoque France-inspired fantasy world, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 launches on April 24, 2025. This announcement, made during the Xbox Developer Direct, confirmed the game's arrival on Xbox Game Pass on day one.

Pre-orders are open! Secure your copy on the Xbox Store ($44.99 standard, $59.99 Deluxe) or take advantage of a 10% discount on Steam and PS5 ($44.99 and $53.99 respectively). Note: the PS5 discount requires a PlayStation Plus subscription and is valid until release day at 3:00 PM (local time). Steam's discount ends May 2, 2025. The game is currently wishlisted on the Epic Games Store.

Meet the New Recruits: Monoco and Esquie

The Expedition 33 team expands to seven playable characters plus one dedicated to exploration! Joining the previously revealed cast (Gustave, Lune, Maelle, Sciel, Renoir, and Verso), we meet Monoco and Esquie:

• Monoco: A Gestral, a bloodthirsty yet friendly being who views combat as meditation. His unique ability allows him to transform into defeated enemies, harnessing their powers. Gestrals are notably immune to the Paintress's influence.

• Esquie: A legendary figure, considered the oldest and strongest being. Esquie avoids direct combat, instead granting access to various locations on the open-world map. Collecting his special stones unlocks new abilities and areas.

Reactive Turn-Based Combat and Deep Character Customization

Sandfall Interactive has reinvented classic turn-based combat, adding a real-time element. Players can dodge or parry attacks for increased damage, creating a "reactive turn-based" system. Difficulty settings adjust the timing window for parries and dodges.

Character customization is extensive. Each character boasts unique mechanics and skill trees (like Lune's "Stain" resource). "Pictos," equipment modifiers, evolve into permanent Luminas (passive effects) after four battles, offering extensive build variety.

With hundreds of potential builds, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 promises a strategic and reflex-testing experience. Prepare for a visually stunning and deeply engaging RPG adventure!