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 innovative gameplay mechanics. Discover the rich tapestry of influences woven into 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 that shaped *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33*'s identity.

The game's title, "Clair Obscur," draws its name from a significant 17th and 18th-century French artistic and cultural movement. Broche explained, "It profoundly influenced the game's art style and underpins its overarching world."

"Expedition 33" directly references the in-game expeditions led by protagonist Gustave to defeat the Paintress. Each year, a new expedition is launched to achieve this goal. The Paintress uses a monolith to erase individuals from existence, a process Broche calls "the Gommage." The reveal trailer showcased the death of Gustave's partner after the Paintress marked the number 33, her current age.

Broche cited La Horde du Contrevent (Against the Wind Horde) as a narrative influence, describing it as "a fantasy novel about explorers facing incredible risks." He added, "Stories of venturing into the unknown, similar to Attack on Titan, have always captivated me."

Reimagining Classic Turn-Based RPGs

Broche emphasized the game's commitment to high-fidelity graphics within the turn-based RPG genre. "High-fidelity turn-based RPGs have been scarce," he stated. "We aimed to fill that void."

While real-time turn-based combat exists in games like Valkyria Chronicles and Project X Zone, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 introduces a reactive turn-based system. Broche explained, "You strategize during your turn, but must react in real-time to enemy actions during their turn – dodging, jumping, or parrying to unleash powerful counterattacks."

The inspiration for this innovative system? Action games like the Souls series, Devil May Cry, and NieR. "We wanted to bring the rewarding gameplay of those titles into a turn-based context," Broche revealed.

A Look Ahead

Broche's insights unveil a game rich in lore and narrative depth, shaped by historical influences. The combination of stunning visuals and a reactive battle system promises a unique gaming experience. Strategic planning between turns will be complemented by the need for real-time reactions during enemy attacks.

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 concluded with an encouraging message: "We're thrilled by the positive response to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33! As our first title, the reception has been fantastic, and we can't wait to reveal more leading up to launch."