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

Discover the unique blend of inspirations behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, an upcoming turn-based RPG with real-time mechanics that promises a deeply immersive and interactive experience. This game not only pays homage to classic JRPGs but also introduces fresh elements from other genres. Dive in to learn about the game's inspirations and the first character trailer reveal.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Ramping Up Towards Its Release

Building the Heritage of JRPGs

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set to captivate fans of turn-based RPGs with its unique real-time mechanics, enhancing immersion and interaction. At its heart, the game echoes the spirit of classic JRPGs, drawing significant inspiration from the Final Fantasy series. During the 2025 Game Developers Conference, Expedition 33 Producer François Meurisse shared insights into the game's inspirations with GamesRadar+.

Meurisse highlighted that Final Fantasy 10, along with earlier entries such as Final Fantasy 7, 8, and 9, played a crucial role in shaping Expedition 33. "These games were pivotal in Guillaume Broche's, our game director's, childhood," Meurisse noted. "He envisioned what modern Final Fantasy-like games could have been if they continued with turn-based systems. Yet, he also integrated a variety of other influences. JRPGs, especially Final Fantasy, are the foundational gameplay heritage for us."

While JRPGs are a primary source of inspiration, Meurisse stressed the team's desire to craft a unique experience with a distinctive art style. "We didn't want to simply mimic Japanese games with manga or anime-like graphics," he explained. "Instead, we opted for an art direction inspired by the early 20th century Belle Époque and art deco, blended with high fantasy elements. We experimented through several iterations to carve out our unique visual identity, which ultimately helped us stand out."

Other Inspirations

Beyond JRPGs, Expedition 33 also borrows from souls-like games, notably Sekiro, for its defense mechanics. "Our defense system incorporates a rhythmic element and a more real-time component, inspired by Sekiro and From Software's games," Meurisse stated. "It's more skill-based."

The game also introduces mechanics from deckbuilding games into its battle sequences. "We drew from deckbuilding games for the concept of action points for skills in battles, rather than traditional magic points or mana systems in RPGs," Meurisse elaborated.

First Character Trailer

As the release date approaches, Expedition 33 is set to unveil its characters weekly. On March 13, the official Twitter (X) account of Expedition 33 released a trailer introducing Gustave, a resourceful and dedicated engineer from Lumière. Gustave is poised to lead Expedition 33 in their mission to stop the Paintress from painting death once more.

The trailer showcases Gustave wielding a sword and pistol in combat, demonstrating his ability to navigate the overworld by jumping and traversing various points. The combat footage suggests Gustave can deal significant damage and possesses a range of skills. However, details regarding character roles and specific game mechanics remain undisclosed by the developers.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is scheduled for release on April 24, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest news on the game by clicking on our article below!