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

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a highly anticipated turn-based RPG that blends unique real-time mechanics to enhance player immersion and interaction. Drawing inspiration from the rich heritage of JRPGs, this game aims to captivate fans with its nostalgic yet fresh approach to the genre. Dive into the details to discover the game's influences and the exciting reveal of its first character trailer.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Ramping Up Towards Its Release

Building the Heritage of JRPGs

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of JRPGs, particularly echoing the beloved Final Fantasy series. During the 2025 Game Developers Conference, GamesRadar+ had the opportunity to speak with Expedition 33's Producer, François Meurisse, who shed light on the game's inspirations.

Meurisse highlighted that classic Final Fantasy titles, such as Final Fantasy 7, 8, 9, and 10, served as major influences for the game. "Those are big childhood games for Guillaume [Broche], our game director," he explained. "He envisioned capturing the essence of those games if they had continued to evolve with turn-based mechanics. Yet, he also integrated various other inspirations. Final Fantasy and JRPGs form the cornerstone of our gameplay heritage."

While the gameplay draws heavily from JRPGs, Meurisse emphasized the team's commitment to crafting a unique experience. "In terms of art style, we didn't want to simply replicate Japanese games with their manga-like or anime-like graphics," he noted. "Instead, we chose to forge our own path, drawing inspiration from the early 20th century's Belle Époque era, infused with art deco elements and high fantasy aesthetics. It took several iterations to find our distinctive visual identity, but it ultimately helped us stand out."

Other Inspirations

Beyond JRPGs, Expedition 33 also incorporates elements from souls-like games, notably Sekiro, for its defense mechanics. "The defense system is inspired by Sekiro and From Software games," Meurisse shared. "It introduces a rhythmic element and a more real-time component, making it more skill-based."

Additionally, the game introduces mechanics inspired by deckbuilding games, particularly in its battle sequences. "The concept of using action points for skills in battles is influenced more by deckbuilding games than the traditional magic points or mana systems found in RPGs," Meurisse elaborated.

First Character Trailer

As Expedition 33 gears up for its release, the game will introduce new characters weekly. On March 13, the official Twitter (X) account of Expedition 33 unveiled a trailer featuring Gustave, a resourceful and dedicated engineer from Lumière. Gustave is set to lead Expedition 33 in their mission to stop the Paintress from painting death again.

The trailer showcases Gustave wielding a sword and pistol as his primary combat weapons. In the overworld, he is seen navigating and jumping from one point to another. The combat clips reveal Gustave dealing significant damage to enemies and possessing a diverse set of skills. However, the developers have yet to confirm specific details about character roles and related mechanics within the game.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is slated 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 and developments by following our coverage.