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

Explore the inspirations behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a game that blends elements of JRPGs with unique real-time mechanics, and discover the first character trailer reveal.

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 with innovative real-time mechanics designed to enhance player immersion and interaction. The game draws heavily from classic JRPGs, notably the Final Fantasy series, which has significantly influenced its mechanics and thematic elements. At the 2025 Game Developers Conference, GamesRadar+ interviewed Expedition 33 Producer François Meurisse, who shed light on the game's inspirations.

Meurisse highlighted that Final Fantasy 10 and earlier PlayStation titles like Final Fantasy 7, 8, and 9 played a crucial role in shaping Expedition 33. "These games were pivotal during our game director Guillaume Broche's childhood," he explained. "He aimed to capture the essence that would have remained in modern Final Fantasy games if they had continued with turn-based systems. However, he also incorporated a diverse range of other inspirations. While JRPGs and Final Fantasy are at the core of our gameplay heritage, we wanted to create something distinct."

While the gameplay mechanics are rooted in JRPG traditions, Meurisse stressed the team's commitment to developing a unique visual style. "We chose not to mimic Japanese games with manga or anime-like graphics," he said. "Instead, we sought to craft an art direction inspired by our own influences, leading us to the early 20th-century Belle Époque style with art deco elements, blended with high fantasy. We went through several iterations to ensure our art stood out and contributed to our game's unique identity."

Other Inspirations

Beyond JRPGs, Expedition 33 also takes cues from souls-like games, specifically Sekiro, for its defense mechanics. Meurisse noted, "Our defense system draws from Sekiro and From Software games, incorporating rhythm and real-time elements that demand skill-based gameplay."

Additionally, the game integrates mechanics from deckbuilding games into its battle sequences. "We've incorporated the concept of action points for skills, inspired more by deckbuilding games than traditional RPG magic or mana systems," Meurisse elaborated.

First Character Trailer

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

The trailer showcases Gustave wielding a sword and pistol as his primary weapons. In the overworld, he navigates the environment with agility, jumping from one point to another. Combat sequences reveal Gustave dealing significant damage to enemies and utilizing a variety of skills, though the developers have yet to disclose detailed information about character roles and related mechanics.

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 and developments by clicking on our article below!