"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Updates"

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 News

2025

April 3

⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 offers PC players a wide range of graphical presets, from Low to Epic, allowing for customizable gaming experiences. Console players can choose between Performance and Quality modes. The game is confirmed to be PS5 Pro Enhanced, although specific details about these enhancements remain undisclosed. Xbox players can now pre-load the game in anticipation of its global launch on April 24 at 12 AM PT / 3 AM ET. The title will feature 56 achievements and trophies, including challenging tasks like 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 confirmed that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will not include a minimap, opting instead for a compass to aid navigation. Producer Francois Meurisse explained that this decision was made to encourage exploration and to immerse players in the narrative of venturing into the unknown. The absence of a map reflects the game's theme where players follow in the footsteps of past explorers who failed, reinforcing the feeling 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

⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's director, Guillaume Broche, initiated the project in 2019, driven by a passion for new turn-based RPGs. Inspired by classics like Final Fantasy, Lost Odyssey, and FromSoftware's Sekiro, Broche aimed to create a game that combines strategic combat with skill-based mechanics, appealing to fellow enthusiasts 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

⚫︎ Producer Francois Meurisse highlighted Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's unique blend of turn-based strategy and challenging, off-rhythm enemy attacks. Rooted in JRPG traditions, the game stands out with its Belle Epoque-inspired art style. Sandfall Interactive aimed to create a visually and mechanically distinct experience, drawing inspiration from Final Fantasy while incorporating real-time defensive mechanics from Sekiro and action point-based skills from deckbuilders.

Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is Sekiro Meets Belle Époque Meets JRPG (Game8)

March 3

⚫︎ Gaming News Media were given playable demos of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 ahead of its release, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The game's turn-based combat was praised for its innovative approach, paying homage to classic JRPGs while introducing new elements that enhance the strategic 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 is set to be adapted into a movie. Developer Sandfall Interactive has partnered with Story Kitchen, known for projects like Sonic and the upcoming Dredge movie. While details about the director and cast remain undisclosed, producers Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg, and Elena Sandoval are attached to the project. Story Kitchen is excited to bring the game's rich narrative and complex characters to the big screen.

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

2024

August 29

⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 draws heavy inspiration from classic turn-based RPGs, with creative director Guillaume Broche citing Final Fantasy VIII-X, Persona, and Octopath Traveler as key influences. Broche, a fan of the genre, aimed to create a game with high-fidelity graphics and a blend of real-time reaction-based combat and strategic depth. Players can switch party members in the open world and use traversal abilities to solve puzzles. The positive reception has overwhelmed Broche, who hopes players will experiment with creative builds and leave a lasting impact on the gaming community.

Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Wears Its FF and Persona Influences on Its Sleeves (Game8)

July 30

⚫︎ Creative director Guillaume Broche revealed that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 takes inspiration from real-world art and literature, referencing the Clair Obscur artistic movement of 17th-18th century France and the novel La Horde du Contrevent. The game focuses on high-fidelity visuals and an innovative reactive turn-based battle system, drawing influence from Souls games, Devil May Cry, and NieR to modernize the genre's combat.

Read more: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Historical Roots and Innovations (Game8)