Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Explores Historical Innovations

Sandfall Interactive's founder and creative director, Guillaume Broche, has unveiled fascinating details about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Dive in to explore the game's historical inspirations and groundbreaking gameplay features.

Real-world Influences and Gameplay Innovation

Inspiration Behind the Name and Narrative

The term "Clair Obscur" draws directly from the French artistic and cultural movement spanning the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Broche explained, "Clair Obscur not only influenced our artistic direction but also encapsulates the game's overarching world."

"Expedition 33" derives from the protagonist Gustave's mission to defeat the Paintress, with each year marking a new expedition. The Paintress, a central antagonist, paints a number on her monolith to erase everyone of that age, a process Broche calls "the Gommage." The reveal trailer poignantly shows the protagonist's partner perishing as the Paintress paints the number 33, symbolizing her age.

Broche also cited La Horde du Contrevent, a fantasy novel about a group of explorers, as a narrative influence. He noted, "Stories about venturing into the unknown, despite incredible risks—like the anime/manga Attack on Titan—have always captivated me."

Innovating Classic Turn-based RPG

Broche highlighted the significance of graphics in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. "There hasn’t been a turn-based RPG with high-fidelity graphics for quite some time," he said. "We aimed to fill that gap and deliver a visually stunning experience."

Although real-time turn-based RPGs like Valkyria Chronicles and Project X Zone exist, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 introduces a reactive turn-based battle system. Broche explained, "Players can strategize during their turn, but must react in real-time during the enemy's turn, dodging, jumping, or parrying to trigger powerful counterattacks."

The inspiration for this innovation comes from action games like the Souls series, Devil May Cry, and NieR. Broche shared, "We wanted to bring the rewarding gameplay of these action titles into a turn-based setting."

Looking Forward

Broche's revelations give us a glimpse into the rich lore and narrative of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, deeply rooted in real-world influences. The game's use of high-fidelity graphics and the innovative reactive battle system promise to offer players a fresh and engaging combat experience, combining strategic planning with real-time reactions.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is slated for release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC by 2025. Though the launch is still on the horizon, Broche expressed his enthusiasm: "We're thrilled with the reception so far and can't wait to share more as we approach the launch next year."