Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Reveals Release Date, Combat Mechanics and More

Sandfall Interactive recently unveiled crucial details about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 during Xbox's Developer Direct, including its release date, character roster, and innovative combat system. Let's delve into the exciting announcements!

Unveiling the Madness: April 2025 Release Date

Set in a Belle Epoque France-inspired fantasy world, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will launch on April 24, 2025. This announcement, made during the Xbox Developer Direct, confirmed the game's arrival on Xbox Game Pass on day one.

Pre-orders are open! Secure your copy on the Xbox Store ($44.99 standard, $59.99 Deluxe Edition) or take advantage of a 10% discount on Steam and PS5 ($44.99 and $53.99 respectively). Note: the PS5 discount requires a PlayStation Plus subscription and is valid until release day (3:00 PM local time). Steam's discount ends May 2nd, 2025. Epic Games Store listings are currently limited to wishlisting.

Meet the New Recruits: Monoco and Esquie

The Expedition 33 team expands! Joining the previously revealed Gustave, Lune, Maelle, Sciel, Renoir, and Verso are two intriguing new characters: Monoco and Esquie.

Monoco, a "friendly and bloodthirsty Gestral," possesses the unique ability to transform into defeated enemies, leveraging their powers in combat. Gestrals are notably immune to the Paintress's influence.

Esquie, a legendary figure considered the world's oldest and strongest being, plays a crucial support role. He grants access to various locations on the open-world map, requiring the team to collect his special stones to unlock new abilities and areas.

Reimagined Turn-Based Combat and Deep Customization

Sandfall Interactive has revitalized classic turn-based combat. Their "reactive turn-based system" introduces real-time elements, allowing players to parry and dodge attacks for increased damage output. Button presses enhance attack power. Difficulty settings adjust the timing windows for parrying and dodging, catering to various skill levels.

Deep character customization is a core feature. Each character boasts unique mechanics and skill trees (e.g., Lune's "Stain" resource). "Pictos," equipment modifiers, evolve into permanent Luminas (passive effects) after four battles, offering extensive build variety. Hundreds of build combinations await, promising diverse and engaging gameplay.