Sandfall Interactive's creative director, Guillaume Broche, recently unveiled key details about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, highlighting its historical inspirations and innovative gameplay mechanics.
Historical Influences and Gameplay Innovation
Title and Narrative Inspiration
Broche explained that "Clair Obscur," referencing the 17th and 18th-century French artistic movement, significantly shaped the game's aesthetic and overarching world. "Expedition 33" refers to a recurring group, led by protagonist Gustave, tasked with defeating the Paintress, a being who uses a process called "Gommage" to erase people from existence by painting numbers on a monolith. The trailer depicts the death of Gustave's partner after the Paintress paints the number 33, her current age. Broche cited La Horde du Contrevent (a fantasy novel about explorers) and Attack on Titan as narrative inspirations, emphasizing his fascination with stories of perilous journeys into the unknown.
Reimagining Turn-Based RPGs
Broche highlighted the game's high-fidelity graphics as a unique element in the turn-based RPG genre, aiming to fill a perceived gap in the market. While acknowledging predecessors like Valkyria Chronicles, Clair Obscur introduces a reactive turn-based combat 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 unleash powerful counterattacks. The design draws inspiration from action games such as the Souls series, Devil May Cry, and NieR, aiming to integrate their rewarding combat into a turn-based framework.
Future Outlook
Broche's insights reveal a game deeply rooted in historical context, yet pushing boundaries with its innovative gameplay. The combination of high-fidelity visuals and the reactive battle system promises a fresh take on turn-based combat, demanding both strategic planning and real-time reflexes.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is slated for release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2025. Broche expressed enthusiasm for the positive reception and promised further reveals leading up to the launch.
