Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Wears Its FF and Persona Influences on Its Sleeves

Sandfall Interactive's upcoming turn-based RPG, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, is making waves with its unique blend of classic and modern RPG elements. Following a successful demo, the game's director has shed light on its key inspirations.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – A Fusion of Turn-Based and Real-Time Gameplay

Drawing inspiration from the Belle Époque era of France and beloved JRPGs, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 cleverly merges turn-based strategy with real-time action. Heavily influenced by Final Fantasy and Persona, the game aims to create a fresh experience within the established genre.

Following a positive reception at SGF, creative director Guillaume Broche discussed the game's development influences with Eurogamer. His passion for turn-based combat, coupled with a desire for high-fidelity visuals, drove the project. He cited Atlus' Persona and Square Enix's Octopath Traveler as stylistic inspirations, stating, "If nobody wants to do it, I will do it."

Expedition 33's narrative centers on preventing the enigmatic Paintress from unleashing death once more. The game boasts visually stunning environments, such as the gravity-defying Flying Waters, promising a captivating journey.

Combat demands quick reflexes. While actions are selected in a turn-based manner, players must react swiftly to enemy attacks. This dynamic approach echoes the gameplay of Persona, Final Fantasy, and Sea of Stars.

Broche was surprised by the overwhelmingly positive response, stating, "It was very overwhelming... I wasn't expecting this community to be that excited."

While acknowledging Persona's influence, Broche clarified to PC Gamer that the Final Fantasy series, particularly FFVIII, FF IX, and FFX, had a more profound impact. He emphasized that the game isn't a direct clone but rather a reflection of his personal gaming history. "The game is more like what I grew up with," he explained. He also noted Persona's influence on camera movement and dynamic menu design, while maintaining their distinct art style.

Exploration in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 offers complete player control. Players can seamlessly switch between party members and utilize unique traversal skills to overcome environmental puzzles. Broche expressed a desire for players to experiment with character builds, aiming for a game that encourages creative problem-solving.

The development team, in a PlayStation Blog post, expressed their hope to create a game that resonates with players as deeply as classic titles impacted them.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is slated for release on PC, PS5, and Xbox in 2025.