Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Updates

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 News

2025

April 3

⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 offers PC players a variety of graphical options ranging from Low to Epic, while console gamers can select between Performance and Quality modes. The game has been confirmed as PS5 Pro Enhanced, though detailed specifications remain under wraps. Xbox players can now pre-load the game in anticipation of its worldwide launch on April 24 at 12 AM PT / 3 AM ET. The game includes 56 achievements and trophies, featuring 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 forgo a minimap in favor of a compass to guide navigation. Producer Francois Meurisse explained this choice was made to foster a sense of exploration over reliance on UI elements. This decision is intricately linked to the game's narrative, where players embody explorers venturing into uncharted territories, much like their predecessors who did not return. "They don’t have a map because every previous expedition failed," Meurisse noted, emphasizing the theme of uncertainty and discovery.

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, began developing the game in 2019 out of a personal longing for new turn-based RPGs. Inspired by classics like Final Fantasy, Lost Odyssey, and FromSoftware's Sekiro, Broche aimed to combine strategic gameplay with skill-based mechanics to offer a fresh experience for fans of the genre.

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 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's innovative mix of turn-based strategy and challenging, unpredictable enemy attacks. The game, while deeply rooted in JRPG traditions, stands out with its Belle Epoque-inspired art style, a reflection of Sandfall Interactive's ambition to deliver a visually and mechanically unique experience. The game takes cues from classic Final Fantasy titles, incorporates real-time defensive mechanics from Sekiro, and features action point-based skills reminiscent of deckbuilders.

Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is Sekiro Meets Belle Époque Meets JRPG

March 3

⚫︎ Ahead of its release, gaming media were granted access to playable demos of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and many praised the game's turn-based combat as a significant evolution, blending elements from various acclaimed JRPGs into a cohesive and innovative system.

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 official release, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set to become a movie. Sandfall Interactive has partnered with Story Kitchen, known for adaptations like Sonic and the forthcoming Dredge film. Although no director or cast has been announced yet, producers Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg, and Elena Sandoval are on board. Story Kitchen is eager to bring the game's intricate narrative and complex characters to the big screen.

Read more: Clair Obscur is Getting Its Own Live-Action Movie

2024

August 29

⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 draws significant inspiration from classic turn-based RPGs, with creative director Guillaume Broche citing Final Fantasy VIII-X, Persona, and Octopath Traveler as key influences. As a fan of the genre, Broche aimed to craft 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 utilize traversal abilities to tackle puzzles. Broche expressed his delight at the game's reception and hopes players will experiment with creative builds to "break the game." The development team aspires for Expedition 33 to make a lasting impact, akin to the RPGs that inspired them.

Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Wears Its FF and Persona Influences on Its Sleeves

July 30

⚫︎ Creative director Guillaume Broche revealed that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is inspired by real-world art and literature, with its name derived from the 17th-18th century French artistic movement Clair Obscur, and its story influenced by the novel La Horde du Contrevent. Broche highlighted the game's commitment to high-fidelity visuals and its innovative reactive turn-based combat system. The game borrows elements from Souls games, Devil May Cry, and NieR, aiming to refresh the turn-based RPG genre.

Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Historical Roots and Innovations