"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Blends Sekiro, Belle Époque, and JRPG Styles"

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is inspired by different titles, particularly paying homage to JRPGs. Read to learn more about where the game is inspired and its first character trailer reveal.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Ramping Up Towards Its Release

Building the Heritage of JRPGs

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an eagerly awaited turn-based RPG that introduces unique real-time mechanics, promising to enhance player immersion and interaction. At its heart, the game echoes the essence of classic JRPGs, drawing significant inspiration from the Final Fantasy series, particularly titles like Final Fantasy 10, 7, 8, and 9. During the 2025 Game Developers Conference, GamesRadar+ had the opportunity to speak with Expedition 33 Producer François Meurisse about the game's inspirations.

Meurisse shared that the Final Fantasy games were pivotal for the game's director, Guillaume Broche, during his childhood. "He wanted to capture the feeling that would have been present in modern Final Fantasy games if they had continued with turn-based mechanics," Meurisse explained. "But he also mixed in a variety of other influences. Definitely, Final Fantasy and JRPGs are the predominant gameplay heritage we have."

While the gameplay is deeply rooted in JRPG traditions, Meurisse stressed the desire to forge a unique identity for the game, particularly in its art style. "We didn't want to replicate the typical manga-like or anime-like graphics of Japanese games," he said. "Instead, we aimed for an art direction inspired by our own influences. This led us to adopt a Belle Époque style from the early 20th century, blending it with art deco and high fantasy elements. We went through several iterations to find our unique visual language, which has helped us distinguish ourselves."

Other Inspirations

In addition to JRPGs, Expedition 33 incorporates elements from souls-like games, specifically taking cues from Sekiro for its defense mechanics. "The defense system is inspired by Sekiro and From Software games," Meurisse noted. "It introduces a rhythm element and a more real-time component, making it more skill-based."

Furthermore, the game integrates mechanics from deckbuilding games into its battle sequences. "The concept of using action points for skills in battles is more akin to deckbuilding games rather than the traditional magic points or mana systems found in RPGs," Meurisse added.

First Character Trailer

As the release date approaches, Expedition 33 is set to unveil its characters weekly. On March 13, the official Twitter (X) account of Expedition 33 released a trailer introducing Gustave, the resourceful and dedicated engineer from Lumière. Gustave is poised to lead Expedition 33 in their mission to stop the Paintress from painting death ever again.

The trailer showcases Gustave wielding a sword and pistol as his main combat weapons. In the overworld, he is seen navigating and leaping across various terrains. The combat footage reveals Gustave delivering significant damage to enemies and employing a range of skills. However, the developers have yet to disclose detailed information regarding character roles and associated mechanics.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is slated for release on April 24, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. To stay updated with the latest news on the game, click on our article below!