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

Dive into the world of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a captivating turn-based RPG that's drawing inspiration from a rich tapestry of gaming genres and artistic styles. From the classic JRPGs to the thrilling mechanics of souls-like games, this title promises a unique experience as it gears up for its release. Discover the inspirations behind the game 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 that introduces innovative real-time mechanics, enhancing player immersion and interaction. At its heart, the game echoes the spirit of classic JRPGs, with a particular nod to the Final Fantasy series. During the 2025 Game Developers Conference, GamesRadar+ had the opportunity to speak with Expedition 33 Producer François Meurisse about the game's inspirations.

Meurisse revealed that the game draws heavily from Final Fantasy 10 and earlier PlayStation titles like Final Fantasy 7, 8, and 9. "Those are big childhood games for Guillaume [Broche], our game director," he shared. "He wanted to capture the essence that he felt would have been retained in modern Final Fantasy-like games had they continued with turn-based mechanics. However, he also blended in numerous other inspirations. JRPGs and Final Fantasy are undoubtedly our primary gameplay heritage."

While the gameplay mechanics are steeped in JRPG tradition, Meurisse emphasized the team's commitment to crafting a unique identity. "For the art style, we didn't aim to replicate Japanese games with their manga or anime aesthetics," he explained. "Instead, we wanted to create an art direction inspired by our own influences. This led us to adopt an early 20th-century Belle Époque theme, infused with art deco elements and high fantasy. We iterated several times to find our distinct visual voice, and this approach really helped us stand out."

Other Inspirations

Beyond JRPGs, Expedition 33 also incorporates elements from souls-like games, with a specific nod to Sekiro for its defense mechanics. "Our defense system is inspired by Sekiro and From Software games," Meurisse noted. "It introduces a rhythmic element and a more real-time component, making it more skill-based."

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

First Character Trailer

As Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 approaches its release, the game is set to unveil its characters weekly. On March 13, the official Expedition 33 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 and prevent her from painting death once more.

The trailer showcases Gustave wielding a sword and pistol as his main combat tools. In the overworld, he's seen navigating and leaping from one point to another. Combat footage highlights Gustave dealing significant damage to enemies and employing a variety of skills. While specifics about character roles and mechanics remain under wraps, the trailer offers an exciting glimpse into what players can expect.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is slated for release on April 24, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates by clicking on the article below!