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

Explore the inspirations behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a game that blends elements from JRPGs, and get a sneak peek at the first character trailer.

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 that aims to enhance player immersion and interaction. This game draws heavily from the rich legacy of JRPGs, particularly echoing the spirit of the Final Fantasy series. At the 2025 Game Developers Conference, GamesRadar+ had the opportunity to discuss with Expedition 33 Producer François Meurisse, who shed light on the game's inspirations.

Meurisse revealed that classic Final Fantasy titles such as Final Fantasy 10, and the PlayStation-era games Final Fantasy 7, 8, and 9, were key influences on Expedition 33. "These are significant childhood games for Guillaume [Broche], our game director," he explained. "He envisioned capturing the essence that could have evolved in modern Final Fantasy games, had they continued with turn-based mechanics. However, he also incorporated a diverse array of inspirations. Definitely, Final Fantasy and JRPGs are the dominant gameplay heritage we draw from."

While the gameplay is deeply rooted in JRPGs, Meurisse stressed the desire to craft a unique game with a distinct artistic vision. "In terms of art style, we didn't want to simply replicate Japanese games with their manga-like or anime-like aesthetics. Instead, we sought to create an art direction based on our own influences. That's how we arrived at the early 20th-century Belle Époque inspiration, infused with art deco elements and high fantasy. We iterated several times to carve out our unique visual identity, which helped us distinguish ourselves."

Other Inspirations

In addition to JRPGs, Expedition 33 also takes cues from souls-like games, specifically Sekiro, for its defense mechanics. Meurisse noted, "Our defense system is inspired by Sekiro and other From Software games. It incorporates a rhythmic element and a more real-time component, focusing on skill."

The game further integrates mechanics from deckbuilding games into its battle sequences. Meurisse elaborated, "For instance, the concept of using action points for skills in battles is more influenced by deckbuilding games than the typical magic points or mana systems found in RPGs."

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, the resourceful and dedicated engineer from Lumière. Gustave is poised to lead Expedition 33 in their mission to defeat the Paintress, ensuring she can no longer paint death.

The trailer showcases Gustave wielding a sword and pistol as his primary combat weapons. In the overworld, he is seen navigating the environment with agility, jumping from one point to another. Combat footage reveals Gustave inflicting significant damage on enemies and utilizing a variety of skills. However, specifics about character roles and related mechanics remain unconfirmed by the developers.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is scheduled for release on April 24, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For the latest updates on the game, check out our article below!