Discover the inspirations behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, an upcoming turn-based RPG that blends elements from classic JRPGs, souls-like games, and deckbuilding mechanics. Dive into the game's unique art style and get a glimpse 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 eagerly anticipated turn-based RPG that introduces innovative real-time mechanics to enhance player immersion and interaction. The game draws heavily from the rich tradition of JRPGs, particularly 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 Final Fantasy 10, along with earlier PlayStation titles like Final Fantasy 7, 8, and 9, significantly influenced Expedition 33. "These are big childhood games for Guillaume [Broche], our game director," he explained. "He wanted to capture the essence of what modern Final Fantasy games might have been like if they had continued with turn-based mechanics. However, he also incorporated a variety of other inspirations. Final Fantasy and JRPGs are the cornerstone of our gameplay heritage."
While the gameplay is rooted in JRPG traditions, Meurisse emphasized the team's desire to forge a unique identity. "For the art style, we didn't want to simply replicate Japanese games with manga-like or anime-like graphics," he said. "Instead, we aimed to create an art direction influenced by our own cultural heritage. This led us to adopt an early 20th-century Belle Époque aesthetic, infused with art deco elements and high fantasy. We went through several iterations to find our unique visual identity, which has helped us stand out."
Other Inspirations
Beyond JRPGs, Expedition 33 also takes cues from souls-like games, specifically Sekiro, for its defense mechanics. "The defense system is inspired by Sekiro and From Software games," Meurisse noted. "It incorporates 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 akin to deckbuilding games than the traditional magic points or mana systems found in RPGs," Meurisse elaborated.
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, a 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 is seen navigating and jumping across various points. Combat footage reveals Gustave dealing significant damage to enemies and utilizing a variety of skills. However, the developers have yet to disclose detailed information about character roles and related mechanics.
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 and developments by following our coverage below!
