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

Sandfall Interactive's Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 details revealed at Xbox's Developer Direct include the release date, character roster, and innovative combat system. Prepare for an adventure!

Unveiling the Mystery: April 24, 2025 Launch

Set in a Belle Epoque France-inspired fantasy world, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 arrives on April 24, 2025. This announcement, part of Xbox's Developer Direct, confirmed the game's launch and its inclusion in Xbox Game Pass on day one.

Pre-orders are open: $44.99 (standard) or $59.99 (Deluxe Edition) on the Xbox Store. Steam and PS5 offer a 10% discount ($44.99 and $53.99 respectively), with the Steam discount ending May 2nd, 2025, and the PS5 discount (requiring PlayStation Plus) valid until release at 3:00 PM (local time). The Epic Games Store listing allows wishlisting only.

Meet the Expedition's New Recruits: Monoco and Esquie

Expanding the playable roster to seven, plus an exploration-focused character, Monoco and Esquie join the 33rd expedition.

Monoco, a Gestral, is a combat-loving being capable of transforming into defeated enemies, adding a unique tactical element. Gestrals are notably immune to the Paintress's power.

Esquie, a legendary and powerful being, focuses on exploration. He grants access to various locations, requiring the team to collect his special stones to unlock new abilities and areas.

The previously revealed characters (Gustave, Lune, Maelle, Sciel, Renoir, and Verso) were showcased in a YouTube video on October 16, 2024.

Reactive Turn-Based Combat and Deep Character Customization

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 revitalizes turn-based combat with a reactive system. Real-time elements allow for parrying and dodging, enhancing strategic depth. Difficulty settings adjust the timing windows for these actions.

Extensive character customization is a key feature. Unique mechanics, skill trees (like Lune's "Stain" resource), and Luminas (passive effects from evolved Pictos – equipment modifiers) offer hundreds of build possibilities. This allows players to tailor their experience to their preferred playstyle.