Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 draws inspiration from various sources, particularly JRPGs, and has recently unveiled its first character trailer. Dive in to discover the game's inspirations and what to expect from its upcoming release.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Ramping Up Towards Its Release
Building the Heritage of JRPGs
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an eagerly anticipated turn-based RPG that introduces unique real-time mechanics to enhance player immersion and interaction. The game echoes the essence of classic JRPGs, particularly the Final Fantasy series, as revealed by Expedition 33 Producer François Meurisse during the 2025 Game Developers Conference in an interview with GamesRadar+.
Meurisse highlighted that the game draws inspiration from Final Fantasy titles such as Final Fantasy 7, 8, 9, and 10. "These are monumental childhood games for Guillaume [Broche], our game director," he explained. "He aimed to recapture the essence that would have persisted in modern Final Fantasy games had they continued with turn-based systems. Yet, he also incorporated a variety of other inspirations. Final Fantasy and JRPGs are undoubtedly the foundational gameplay influence for us."
While the gameplay borrows heavily from JRPGs, Meurisse emphasized the team's desire to craft a unique experience with a distinct art style. "In terms of art style, we didn't want to simply replicate Japanese games with manga or anime-like graphics. Instead, we wanted to forge an art direction inspired by our own influences. This led us to adopt an early 20th-century Belle Époque theme, blending art deco with high fantasy elements. We went through several iterations to ensure our art stood out and helped define our game's unique identity."
Other Inspirations
Beyond JRPGs, Expedition 33 also takes cues from souls-like games, notably Sekiro, for its defense mechanics. Meurisse stated, "Our defense system is more influenced by Sekiro and From Software games, incorporating a rhythm element and a real-time component that emphasizes skill."
Additionally, the game incorporates mechanics from deckbuilding games into its battle sequences. "For instance, the concept of using action points for skills in battles is more inspired by deckbuilding games than the traditional magic points or mana systems in RPGs," Meurisse elaborated.
First Character Trailer
As Expedition 33 gears up for its release, the game is set to introduce new characters weekly. On March 13, the official Twitter (X) account for Expedition 33 released a trailer showcasing Gustave, a resourceful and dedicated engineer from Lumière. Gustave appears poised to lead Expedition 33 in their mission to defeat the Paintress and prevent her from painting death once more.
The trailer reveals Gustave wielding a sword and pistol as his primary weapons. In the overworld, he is seen navigating and leaping across various points. Combat footage shows Gustave inflicting significant damage on enemies and utilizing a diverse set of skills. However, the developers have not yet disclosed detailed information about character roles and mechanics.
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 on the game by checking out our related article below!
