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

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an exciting blend of influences, drawing heavily from the rich heritage of JRPGs while also incorporating elements from other genres. Dive into the world of this upcoming game and discover the inspirations behind its creation, as well as the reveal of its first character trailer.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Ramping Up Towards Its Release

Building the Heritage of JRPGs

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an innovative turn-based RPG that enhances player immersion and interaction through unique real-time mechanics. The game's core design draws inspiration from classic JRPGs, especially the Final Fantasy series. At the 2025 Game Developers Conference, GamesRadar+ had the opportunity to speak with Expedition 33 Producer François Meurisse about the game's influences.

Meurisse revealed that the game was inspired by Final Fantasy titles from the PlayStation era, such as Final Fantasy 7, 8, 9, and 10. "These games were significant during Guillaume Broche's childhood, our game director," he noted. "He wanted to capture the essence of what modern Final Fantasy games might have felt like if they had continued with turn-based gameplay. However, he also integrated a variety of other inspirations. Final Fantasy and JRPGs are undoubtedly the core of our gameplay heritage."

While the gameplay is deeply rooted in JRPG traditions, Meurisse emphasized the team's desire to create a distinctive game. "In terms of art style, we didn't want to simply replicate Japanese games with manga or anime-like graphics," he explained. "Instead, we aimed to develop our own art direction influenced by the early 20th-century Belle Époque period, incorporating art deco elements with high fantasy. We went through several iterations to find our unique artistic voice, and this approach helped us stand out."

Other Inspirations

Beyond JRPGs, Expedition 33 also draws from the souls-like genre, notably Sekiro, for its defense mechanics. "Our defense system is inspired by Sekiro and other From Software games," Meurisse said. "It introduces a rhythmic element and a more real-time component, emphasizing skill-based gameplay."

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

First Character Trailer

As the game approaches its release, Expedition 33 will introduce new characters weekly. On March 13, the official Twitter (X) account of Expedition 33 unveiled a trailer featuring Gustave, a resourceful and dedicated engineer from Lumière. Gustave is poised to lead Expedition 33 in their quest to stop the Paintress from ever painting death again.

The trailer shows Gustave wielding a sword and pistol as his primary combat weapons. In the overworld, he navigates and jumps between points, showcasing his agility. The combat sequences highlight Gustave's ability to deal significant damage and his diverse skill set. However, the developers have not yet disclosed specific details about character roles and related mechanics in the game.

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