Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Historical Roots and Innovations

Sandfall Interactive's creative director, Guillaume Broche, recently unveiled key details about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, highlighting its historical inspirations and innovative gameplay mechanics. This article delves into the game's unique blend of historical influences and modern RPG design.

Real-World Influences and Gameplay Innovation

Name and Narrative Origins

The game's name, "Clair Obscur," draws inspiration from a 17th-18th century French artistic and cultural movement, influencing both the game's visual style and overarching world. "Expedition 33" refers to a series of expeditions led by protagonist Gustave to defeat the Paintress, a powerful antagonist who uses a process called "Gommage" to erase people from existence by painting a number on her monolith. The number represents her current age; the trailer depicts the death of Gustave's partner after the Paintress paints the number 33.

Broche cited La Horde du Contrevent (a fantasy novel about explorers) and Attack on Titan (for its themes of venturing into the unknown) as key narrative influences.

A Modern Take on Turn-Based RPGs

Broche emphasized the game's commitment to high-fidelity graphics in a genre often lacking such visual fidelity. He stated that the lack of high-quality, turn-based RPGs inspired the team to create Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

While acknowledging predecessors like Valkyria Chronicles and Project X Zone, the game introduces a reactive turn-based combat system. Players strategize during their turns, but must react in real-time to enemy actions during the opponent's turn, dodging, jumping, or parrying to unleash powerful counterattacks. This innovative system blends strategic planning with action-game reflexes, drawing inspiration from titles such as the Souls series, Devil May Cry, and NieR.

Future Outlook

Broche concluded by reiterating the game's unique blend of historical context and innovative gameplay. The combination of high-fidelity visuals and the reactive turn-based combat promises a fresh take on the genre. Players will need both strategic foresight and real-time reflexes to succeed.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is slated for release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2025. Broche expressed excitement about the positive reception and anticipation for the game's launch.