Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Historical Roots and Innovations

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: A Blend of Historical Influence and Gameplay Innovation

Sandfall Interactive's founder and creative director, Guillaume Broche, recently unveiled key details about their upcoming title, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, highlighting its historical inspirations and innovative gameplay mechanics.

Historical Inspiration and Narrative:

The game's name itself draws inspiration from the 17th and 18th-century French artistic and cultural movement, Clair-Obscur, influencing both the game's art 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 process called "Gommage" to erase people from existence by painting a number on her monolith. The trailer depicts the death of Gustave's partner after the Paintress paints the number 33, her current age. Broche cites La Horde du Contrevent (a fantasy novel about explorers) and Attack on Titan as narrative inspirations, highlighting the appeal of stories about venturing into the unknown.

Reactive Turn-Based Combat:

Broche emphasizes the game's unique blend of high-fidelity graphics and a reactive turn-based combat system. While inspired by classic turn-based RPGs, Clair Obscur introduces real-time elements during enemy turns, requiring players to dodge, jump, or parry to trigger powerful counterattacks. The design draws inspiration from action games like the Souls series, Devil May Cry, and NieR, aiming to bring the rewarding gameplay of those titles to a turn-based setting.

Looking Ahead:

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is slated for release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2025. Broche expressed excitement about the positive reception and anticipates sharing more details leading up to the launch. The game promises a unique experience, combining historical influences with innovative gameplay mechanics that blend strategic turn-based combat with real-time reactive elements.