Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 News
2025
April 3
⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will provide PC players with a diverse range of graphical settings from Low to Epic, allowing for customizable visual experiences. Console players can opt for either Performance or Quality modes to suit their preferences. The game is confirmed to be PS5 Pro Enhanced, though specific details are yet to be revealed. Xbox enthusiasts can now pre-load the game in anticipation of its global launch scheduled for April 24 at 12 AM PT / 3 AM ET. The title will feature 56 achievements and trophies, challenging players with tasks 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 forego a traditional minimap, instead utilizing a compass to guide players. Producer Francois Meurisse explained that this choice aims to foster a genuine sense of exploration, aligning with the game's narrative of venturing into uncharted territories. Meurisse highlighted that the absence of a map reflects the in-game expeditions' failures, immersing players in the same uncertainty experienced by the 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, embarked on the project driven by a deep desire for new turn-based RPGs. Starting as a passion project in 2019, Broche drew inspiration from iconic titles like Final Fantasy, Lost Odyssey, and FromSoftware's Sekiro, aiming to create a game that blends strategic combat with skill-based mechanics.
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 shed light on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's unique gameplay, which combines turn-based strategy with challenging, off-rhythm enemy attacks. Rooted in JRPG traditions, the game stands out with its Belle Epoque-inspired art style. Sandfall Interactive's vision is to deliver a visually and mechanically distinct experience, drawing from classic Final Fantasy titles, Sekiro's real-time defensive mechanics, and action point-based skills inspired by deckbuilders.
Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is Sekiro Meets Belle Époque Meets JRPG
March 3
⚫︎ Ahead of its release, playable demos of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 have impressed gaming news outlets. The game's turn-based combat system has been hailed as an evolution, skillfully combining elements from iconic JRPGs to create a fresh and engaging experience.
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 has secured a movie adaptation. Sandfall Interactive has teamed up with Story Kitchen, known for bringing games like Sonic and the upcoming Dredge to the big screen. While no director or cast has been announced yet, producers Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg, and Elena Sandoval are set to bring the game's rich narrative and complex characters to life in a cinematic adaptation.
Read more: Clair Obscur is Getting Its Own Live-Action Movie
2024
August 29
⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is deeply influenced by classic turn-based RPGs, with creative director Guillaume Broche citing Final Fantasy VIII-X, Persona, and Octopath Traveler as major inspirations. Broche, a devoted fan of the genre, set out to craft a turn-based RPG with high-fidelity graphics that merges real-time reaction-based combat with strategic depth. Players can switch party members in the open world and utilize traversal abilities to solve puzzles. Broche has been overwhelmed by the game's positive reception and hopes that players will "break the game" with innovative builds. The development team aspires for Expedition 33 to have 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 draws from real-world art and literature, with its title inspired by the 17th-18th century French artistic movement, Clair Obscur, and its narrative influenced by the novel La Horde du Contrevent. Broche emphasized the game's commitment to high-fidelity visuals and its innovative reactive turn-based battle system, drawing inspiration from Souls games, Devil May Cry, and NieR to modernize the turn-based RPG genre.
Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Historical Roots and Innovations
