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

Dive into the world of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a game that beautifully blends the essence of JRPGs with unique inspirations. This article explores the game's roots and introduces its first character trailer.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: A Journey Towards Release

Embracing the Legacy of JRPGs

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an eagerly awaited turn-based RPG that introduces innovative real-time mechanics to enhance player immersion and interaction. At its heart, the game echoes the charm of classic JRPGs, drawing significant inspiration from the iconic Final Fantasy series. During the 2025 Game Developers Conference, GamesRadar+ had the opportunity to speak with Expedition 33's Producer, François Meurisse, about the game's inspirations.

Meurisse revealed that the game takes cues from Final Fantasy 10 and earlier PlayStation titles such as Final Fantasy 7, 8, and 9. "These are big childhood games for Guillaume [Broche], our game director," he shared. "He aimed to capture the essence that would have been present in modern Final Fantasy games if they had continued with turn-based mechanics. However, he also incorporated a wide array of other influences. Final Fantasy and JRPGs are the cornerstone of our gameplay heritage."

While the gameplay pays homage to JRPGs, Meurisse emphasized the team's desire to craft a unique experience with distinct artistic influences. "For the art style, we chose not to emulate Japanese games with manga-like or anime-like graphics," he explained. "Instead, we wanted to forge an art direction inspired by our own influences. This led us to blend early 20th-century Belle Époque aesthetics with art deco and high fantasy elements. We went through several iterations to find our unique artistic voice, which truly helped us stand out."

Diverse Inspirations

Beyond JRPGs, Expedition 33 also draws from the intense world of souls-like games, particularly Sekiro, for its defense mechanics. "The defense system is inspired by Sekiro and From Software games," Meurisse noted. "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. "The concept of using action points for skills in battles is more akin to deckbuilding games than the traditional magic points or mana systems found in RPGs," Meurisse elaborated.

Unveiling the First Character Trailer

As Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 gears up for its release, the game will introduce new characters weekly. On March 13, Expedition 33's official Twitter (X) account unveiled a trailer featuring Gustave, the resourceful and dedicated engineer from Lumière. Gustave is poised to lead Expedition 33 in their mission to stop the Paintress from painting death once more.

The trailer showcases Gustave wielding a sword and pistol as his primary combat weapons. In the overworld, he navigates the environment with agility, jumping from one point to another. Combat sequences highlight Gustave's ability to deal significant damage and utilize a variety of skills. However, details regarding character roles and specific mechanics are yet to be fully disclosed by the developers.

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. Stay updated with the latest news by following our article below!