"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Updates"

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 News

2025

April 3

⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 offers PC players a spectrum of graphical settings ranging from Low to Epic, ensuring a tailored gaming experience. Console enthusiasts can choose between Performance and Quality modes. Notably, the game is PS5 Pro Enhanced, though specifics remain under wraps. Xbox users can now pre-load the game in anticipation of its global launch on April 24 at 12 AM PT / 3 AM ET. The title boasts 56 achievements and trophies, challenging players to defeat bosses without taking damage and collect 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 made a strategic choice to exclude a minimap from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, opting instead for a compass to enhance the sense of exploration. Producer Francois Meurisse shared that this decision not only affects gameplay but also aligns with the game’s narrative. Players join an expedition into uncharted territories, following the paths of unsuccessful explorers. "They don’t have a map because every previous expedition failed," Meurisse emphasized, immersing players in the same uncertainty as their in-game 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 journey of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 began as a passion project in 2019, driven by director Guillaume Broche's hunger for new turn-based RPGs. Influenced by iconic titles like Final Fantasy, Lost Odyssey, and FromSoftware's Sekiro, Broche envisioned a game that would fuse strategic combat with skill-based elements, catering to a niche yet passionate audience.

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 shed light on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's innovative gameplay, blending turn-based strategy with off-rhythm enemy attacks. Rooted in JRPG traditions, the game stands out with its Belle Epoque-inspired art style, a testament to Sandfall Interactive's commitment to a unique visual and mechanical identity. The game draws from classic Final Fantasy titles, yet incorporates real-time defensive maneuvers from Sekiro and 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, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 offered playable demos to gaming media, which were met with enthusiastic feedback. The game's turn-based combat system was praised for its evolution and homage to legendary JRPGs, showcasing a blend of tradition and innovation.

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 launch, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set to hit the big screen. Sandfall Interactive has teamed up with Story Kitchen, known for their successful game-to-film adaptations like Sonic and the upcoming Dredge movie. Although details on the director and cast are yet to be announced, the project is in capable hands with producers Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg, and Elena Sandoval. Story Kitchen is eager to bring the game’s intricate narrative and characters to life in a cinematic format.

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

2024

August 29

⚫︎ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 draws deep 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 dedicated fan of the genre, Broche aimed to craft a visually stunning turn-based RPG, integrating 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 expressed his delight at the game's warm reception and hopes that players will experiment with creative builds, leaving a lasting impact similar to the RPGs that inspired him.

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 finds its muse in the art and literature of the past, notably referencing the Clair Obscur artistic movement of 17th-18th century France and the novel La Horde du Contrevent. The game aims to blend high-fidelity visuals with an innovative reactive turn-based combat system, drawing inspiration from Souls games, Devil May Cry, and NieR to modernize the RPG genre.

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