Clair Obscur: Latest Collection Unveils French Fashion Inspiration

Sandfall Interactive's upcoming turn-based RPG, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, is making waves with its unique blend of classic and modern mechanics. Following a successful demo, the game's director has shed light on its key inspirations.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: A Modern Take on Classic JRPGs

Turn-Based Combat with Real-Time Elements

Inspired by the Belle Epoque era of France and beloved JRPGs, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 cleverly combines turn-based strategy with real-time action. The game draws significant inspiration from Final Fantasy and Persona, while forging its own distinctive identity within the genre.

Creative director Guillaume Broche, speaking with Eurogamer after a successful SGF showcase, revealed his passion for turn-based games and a desire to create a visually stunning title in this style. He cited Atlus' Persona and Square Enix's Octopath Traveller as stylistic influences, stating, "If nobody wants to do it, I will do it. That's how it started."

Expedition 33's narrative centers on preventing the enigmatic Paintress from unleashing death once more. The game boasts unique environments, such as the gravity-defying Flying Waters, promising a captivating adventure.

Combat demands quick reflexes. While actions are selected turn-based, players must react in real-time to enemy attacks, creating a dynamic experience reminiscent of Persona, Final Fantasy, and Sea of Stars.

Broche expressed surprise at the overwhelmingly positive reception, stating, "It was very overwhelming... I wasn't expecting this community to be that excited actually."

While acknowledging Persona's influence, Broche clarified to PC Gamer that the Final Fantasy series, specifically the FF VIII, IX, and X era, had a more profound impact. He emphasized that the game isn't a direct imitation but rather a reflection of his personal gaming history. "The game is more like what I grew up with...we take a lot of influence from them but not directly trying to pick things from them," he explained. He also highlighted Persona's impact on camera movement and dynamic menu design.

Players enjoy complete control over their party in the open world, switching characters seamlessly and utilizing unique traversal abilities to solve environmental puzzles. Broche expressed a desire for players to experiment with character builds, stating to GamesRadar, "Our dream is to make a game that will profoundly touch players as much as the classics impacted our lives."

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is slated for release on PC, PS5, and Xbox in 2025.