"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Blends Sekiro, Belle Époque, and JRPG Styles"

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 draws inspiration from a variety of sources, particularly paying homage to JRPGs. Discover more about the game's influences and get a sneak peek at the first character trailer.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: A Journey Towards Release

Embracing the Legacy of JRPGs

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an eagerly anticipated turn-based RPG that introduces unique real-time mechanics, enhancing immersion and interaction for players. The game's foundation is rooted in classic JRPGs, with a strong nod to the Final Fantasy series, particularly Final Fantasy 7, 8, 9, and 10. During the 2025 Game Developers Conference, GamesRadar+ interviewed Expedition 33 Producer François Meurisse, who shed light on the game's inspirations.

Meurisse revealed that the Final Fantasy games were significant influences for the game's director, Guillaume Broche. "Those are big childhood games for Guillaume, our game director," he explained. "He wanted to capture the essence of what modern Final Fantasy games might have been like if they had continued with turn-based mechanics. However, he also incorporated a wide range of other inspirations. Final Fantasy and JRPGs are the cornerstone of our gameplay heritage."

While the gameplay heavily reflects JRPG influences, Meurisse stressed that the team aimed to craft a unique game with distinct art inspiration. "In terms of art style, we didn't want to simply mimic Japanese games with manga-like or anime-like graphics," he said. "We chose to develop an art direction inspired by the early 20th century Belle Époque era, mixed with art deco and high fantasy elements. We iterated on this concept to carve out our own unique visual identity, which helped us differentiate our game."

Diverse Inspirations

Beyond JRPGs, Expedition 33 also takes cues from souls-like games, notably Sekiro, for its defense mechanics. Meurisse noted, "The defense system is more inspired by Sekiro and From Software games, incorporating a rhythmic element and a more real-time component. It's more skill-based."

Additionally, the game integrates mechanics from deckbuilding games into its battle sequences. "For instance, the concept of using action points for skills in battles draws more from deckbuilding games than the traditional magic points or mana systems found in RPGs," Meurisse added.

Introducing the First Character Trailer

As Expedition 33 gears up for its release, the game will unveil new characters on a weekly basis. On March 13, Expedition 33's official Twitter (X) account released a trailer introducing Gustave, a resourceful and dedicated engineer from Lumière. Gustave is poised to lead Expedition 33 in their mission to stop the Paintress from painting death ever again.

The trailer showcases Gustave wielding a sword and pistol as his primary combat tools. In the overworld, he is seen navigating and leaping between different points. Combat sequences highlight Gustave's ability to deal significant damage and utilize a variety of skills. However, specifics regarding character roles and related mechanics remain undisclosed by the developers.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is scheduled for release on April 24, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest news on the game by following the link below!