Unveiling Clair Obscur: Scientific Heritage and Advancements in Expedition 33

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 Roots and Narrative Inspiration

The game's title itself draws inspiration from the 17th and 18th-century French artistic movement, Clair-Obscur, influencing both the game's visual 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 (her current age) on a monolith. The reveal trailer depicts the death of Gustave's partner after the Paintress paints the number 33. Broche cites La Horde du Contrevent (a fantasy novel about explorers) and Attack on Titan as narrative inspirations, highlighting a fascination with stories of perilous journeys into the unknown.

Reimagining Turn-Based RPG Combat

Broche emphasizes the game's commitment to high-fidelity graphics within the turn-based RPG genre, a relatively unexplored space. While acknowledging past real-time turn-based titles like Valkyria Chronicles, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 introduces a reactive turn-based 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 like the Souls series, Devil May Cry, and NieR, aiming to replicate their rewarding combat in a turn-based context.

Future Outlook

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is slated for release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2025. While the release date is some time away, Broche expresses enthusiasm for the positive reception and promises further reveals leading up to launch. The game promises a unique blend of historical influences, stunning visuals, and innovative, reactive turn-based combat.