Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Historical Roots and Innovations

Sandfall Interactive's founder and creative director sheds light on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, revealing its historical inspirations and innovative gameplay mechanics.

Real-World Influences and Gameplay Innovation

The Story Behind the Name and Narrative

The game's title, "Clair Obscur," draws inspiration from the 17th and 18th-century French artistic and cultural movement of the same name. Broche explains that this movement significantly influenced the game's art style and overarching world.

"Expedition 33" refers to the protagonist Gustave's expedition group, tasked with destroying the Paintress. A new expedition is launched annually to achieve this goal. The Paintress, using her monolith, paints a number to erase everyone of that age—a process Broche calls "the Gommage." The reveal trailer depicts the protagonist's partner perishing after the Paintress paints the number 33, her current age.

Broche cites La Horde du Contrevent as a narrative inspiration, describing it as a fantasy novel about globe-trotting explorers. He adds, "Stories about venturing into the unknown despite immense risks, like in Attack on Titan, have always captivated me."

A Fresh Take on Classic Turn-Based RPGs

Broche highlights the game's commitment to high-fidelity graphics within the turn-based RPG genre. He notes a gap in the market for such a combination, stating, "There hasn't been a serious attempt at a high-fidelity turn-based RPG in quite some time. We aimed to fill that void."

While acknowledging previous real-time turn-based RPGs like Valkyria Chronicles and Project X Zone, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 introduces a reactive turn-based battle system. Broche explains, "You strategically plan your turns, but during the enemy's turn, you must react in real-time—dodging, jumping, or parrying to trigger powerful counterattacks."

The inspiration for this innovative system? Action games like the Souls series, Devil May Cry, and NieR. Broche explains the desire to incorporate the rewarding gameplay of these titles into a turn-based setting.

Looking Ahead

Broche's insights reveal a game rich in lore and narrative depth, drawing heavily from real-world influences. The combination of high-fidelity graphics and the innovative reactive battle system promises a unique gaming experience. Players will need to balance strategic planning with real-time reflexes.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is slated for release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2025. While the release date is still some time away, Broche concludes with a message for eager fans: "We're thrilled by the excitement surrounding Clair Obscur: Expedition 33! As our first title, the reception has been incredible, and we can't wait to share more as we approach launch next year."