Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Historical Roots and Innovations

Sandfall Interactive's founder and creative director recently shed light on the fascinating inspirations behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, revealing its historical roots and innovative gameplay mechanics.

Real-world Influences and Gameplay Innovation

The Name and Narrative: A Blend of History and Fantasy

The game's evocative 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 a series of expeditions led by protagonist Gustave, each aimed at defeating the enigmatic Paintress. The Paintress possesses the power to erase entire ages by painting a number on her monolith, a process Broche calls "the Gommage." The reveal trailer dramatically showcases the death of Gustave's partner after the Paintress paints the number 33, representing her current age.

Broche also cites the fantasy novel La Horde du Contrevent as a narrative inspiration, highlighting its themes of exploration and venturing into the unknown. He further notes a lifelong fascination with stories of facing incredible risks, citing Attack on Titan as a prime example.

Reimagining the Classic Turn-Based RPG

Broche emphasizes the game's commitment to high-fidelity graphics within the turn-based RPG genre, a largely unexplored area. He explains the team's desire to fill a gap in the market, stating, "There hasn’t really been any attempt at making a turn-based RPG with high-fidelity graphics for a good while. That left a deep hole in my gamer heart. We took it upon ourselves to make something to fill that void."

While acknowledging past real-time turn-based RPGs like Valkyria Chronicles and Project X Zone, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 innovates with a reactive turn-based battle system. Broche describes this system: "You can take time during battles to establish your strategies, but during the enemy’s turn, you will have to react in real-time to dodge, jump, or parry enemies to trigger a powerful counterattack."

The inspiration for this innovative system stems from action games like the Souls series, Devil May Cry, and NieR, aiming to integrate the rewarding gameplay of those titles into a turn-based setting.

A Look Ahead

Broche's insights reveal a game deeply rooted in historical influences while pushing the boundaries of the turn-based RPG genre. The combination of high-fidelity graphics and a reactive battle system promises a unique and engaging experience. The strategic planning between turns is balanced 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 by 2025. Despite the time until launch, Broche expresses enthusiasm for the positive reception: "We’re glad to see so many fans are excited for the world of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33! As our first title, we’re thrilled with the reception we’ve seen so far, and we can’t wait to show more in the lead-up to launch next year."