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

Sandfall Interactive's highly anticipated title, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, gets a detailed unveiling during Xbox's Developer Direct, revealing key details about its release date, cast of characters, and innovative gameplay mechanics.

Unveiling the Madness: April 2025 Launch

Set against the backdrop of a Belle Epoque France-inspired fantasy world, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 officially launches on April 24, 2025. The announcement, made during the recent Xbox Developer Direct, confirmed the game's arrival on Xbox Game Pass on day one.

Pre-orders are now open! Secure your copy on the Xbox Store ($44.99 standard, $59.99 Deluxe Edition) or take advantage of a 10% discount on Steam and PS5 ($44.99 and $53.99 respectively). Note that the PS5 discount requires a PlayStation Plus subscription and is valid until release day (3:00 PM local time). Steam's discount ends May 2nd, 2025. The Epic Games Store listing is currently available for wishlisting only.

Meet the Expedition's New Faces: Monoco and Esquie

Expanding the roster to seven playable characters plus one dedicated to exploration, Sandfall Interactive introduced Monoco and Esquie. Monoco, a Gestral (beings who view combat as meditation), possesses the unique ability to transform into defeated enemies, leveraging their powers in battle. Interestingly, Gestrals are immune to the Paintress's influence.

Esquie, a legendary and incredibly powerful being, takes a supporting role, granting access to various locations on the open-world map. Collecting his special stones unlocks new abilities and previously inaccessible areas.

The remaining playable characters – Gustave, Lune, Maelle, Sciel, Renoir, and Verso – were previously revealed on October 16, 2024.

Reactive Turn-Based Combat and Deep Character Customization

Sandfall Interactive emphasizes a revitalized turn-based RPG combat system, blending classic strategy with real-time elements. Players can execute dodges and parries for enhanced damage, with timing playing a crucial role. This "reactive turn-based" system offers adjustable difficulty settings to cater to varying skill levels.

Extensive character customization is a core feature. Each character boasts unique mechanics and skill trees, such as Lune's "Stain" accumulation for ability enhancements. "Pictos," equipment modifiers, evolve into permanent Luminas (passive effects) after four battles, providing further character development options. The combination of Luminas, unique skills, and abilities creates a vast array of build possibilities.

Prepare for a captivating adventure with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a game that promises both strategic depth and thrilling action.