Clair Obscur: Cosmic Clash Inspires Sci-Fi Opera

Sandfall Interactive's upcoming turn-based RPG, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, is making waves with its unique blend of classic and modern RPG elements. Following a successful demo, the game's director has shed light on its key inspirations.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – A Fusion of Turn-Based and Real-Time Gameplay

Drawing inspiration from the Belle Epoque era of France and beloved JRPGs, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 innovatively merges turn-based combat with real-time elements. Heavily influenced by the Final Fantasy and Persona series, the game aims to establish its own distinctive identity within the genre.

Following a positive reception at SGF, creative director Guillaume Broche discussed the game's design philosophy with Eurogamer. He revealed a deep-seated passion for turn-based games, a driving force behind his desire to create a high-fidelity title in this style. He cited Atlus' Persona and Square Enix's Octopath Traveler as stylish and nostalgic examples that shaped his vision. "If nobody wants to do it, I will do it," Broche stated, explaining his motivation.

In Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, players engage in turn-based combat punctuated by real-time reactions to enemy attacks. This dynamic system, similar to titles like Persona, Final Fantasy, and Sea of Stars, adds a layer of strategic depth. The narrative centers around preventing the enigmatic Paintress from unleashing death once more, set against unique environments like the gravity-defying Flying Waters.

Broche expressed surprise at the overwhelmingly positive response to the game, stating, "I was expecting turn-based fans to like it, but not this level of excitement."

While acknowledging Persona's influence, Broche clarified to PC Gamer that the Final Fantasy series, particularly Final Fantasy VIII, IX, and X, had a more profound impact on the game's development. He emphasized that while inspired by these classics, Expedition 33 isn't a direct imitation, but rather a reflection of his personal gaming history and tastes. He specifically mentioned borrowing from Persona's dynamic camera movements and menus, but ultimately aiming for a unique artistic style.

The open world of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 offers players complete control over their party, allowing for seamless character switching and the use of traversal abilities to solve environmental puzzles. Broche playfully stated to GamesRadar that he hopes players will "break the game" through creative character builds.

The development team expressed their hope to create a game that resonates with players as deeply as classic titles impacted them, stating on the PlayStation blog, "And hey, even if we fail, we lay the trail for those who come after, right?"

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is slated for release on PC, PS5, and Xbox in 2025.