Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Historical Roots and Innovations

Sandfall Interactive's creative director, Guillaume Broche, recently unveiled key details about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, highlighting its historical inspirations and unique gameplay mechanics. Discover the fascinating blend of history and innovation shaping this upcoming title.

Historical Influences and Gameplay Revolution

Name and Narrative Origins

In a July 29th interview, Broche shed light on the real-world sources behind *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33*'s name and story.

The game's title, "Clair Obscur," draws inspiration from a 17th and 18th-century French artistic and cultural movement, significantly influencing the game's visual style and overarching world.

"Expedition 33" refers to a series of expeditions led by protagonist Gustave to defeat the Paintress, a being who uses a monolith to erase entire ages – a process Broche calls "Gommage." The reveal trailer depicts the death of Gustave's partner after the Paintress targets age 33.

Broche cited La Horde du Contrevent (a fantasy novel about explorers) and works like Attack on Titan as narrative inspirations, emphasizing the appeal of stories about perilous journeys into the unknown.

Reimagining Turn-Based RPGs

Broche highlighted the game's commitment to high-fidelity graphics within the turn-based RPG genre, a largely unexplored territory. He explained the desire to fill a gap in the market for visually stunning turn-based experiences.

While acknowledging previous attempts at real-time turn-based combat (like Valkyria Chronicles), Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 introduces a reactive turn-based system. Players strategize during their turn, but must react in real-time to enemy actions during the opponent's turn, dodging, jumping, or parrying to execute powerful counterattacks.

The design draws inspiration from action games such as the Souls series, Devil May Cry, and NieR, aiming to incorporate their rewarding combat into a turn-based framework.

Future Outlook

Broche shared further details about the game's lore and narrative, emphasizing its grounding in real-world influences. The combination of high-fidelity visuals and the innovative reactive battle system promises a fresh take on turn-based combat. The strategic planning between turns is complemented by the need for real-time reactions during enemy turns.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is slated for release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2025. Despite the time until release, Broche expressed enthusiasm for the positive reception and eagerness to share more in the coming year.