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

Explore the inspirations behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a game that merges elements from JRPGs, souls-like games, and deckbuilding mechanics. Dive in to discover more about its unique blend and the reveal of its first character trailer.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: Journey Towards Release

Honoring the Legacy of JRPGs

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an eagerly awaited 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, drawing significant inspiration from the Final Fantasy series. During the 2025 Game Developers Conference, GamesRadar+ had the opportunity to speak with Expedition 33's Producer, François Meurisse, who shared insights into the game's inspirations.

Meurisse revealed that Final Fantasy 10, along with earlier PlayStation titles like Final Fantasy 7, 8, and 9, played a pivotal role in shaping Expedition 33. "These games were monumental in our game director Guillaume Broche's childhood," he explained. "He aimed to capture the essence that might have evolved in modern Final Fantasy titles if they had continued with turn-based systems. However, he also incorporated a wide range of influences, with JRPGs and Final Fantasy being the cornerstone of our gameplay heritage."

While deeply rooted in JRPG mechanics, Meurisse stressed the team's desire to carve out their own identity, especially in art direction. "We chose not to replicate the manga or anime aesthetics common in Japanese games," he said. "Instead, we drew from early 20th-century Belle Époque and art deco styles, blending them with high fantasy elements. This approach helped us craft a unique visual identity through multiple iterations."

Diverse Inspirations

Beyond JRPGs, Expedition 33 also incorporates elements from souls-like games, notably Sekiro, particularly in its defense mechanics. "Our defense system takes cues from Sekiro and From Software's games," Meurisse noted. "It introduces a rhythmic element and a more real-time component, emphasizing skill."

Moreover, the game introduces mechanics from deckbuilding games into its battle system. "The concept of using action points for skills in battles was inspired by deckbuilding games, rather than the traditional magic points or mana systems found in RPGs," Meurisse added.

Unveiling the First Character Trailer

As Expedition 33 gears up for its release, the game's developers are set to introduce characters weekly. On March 13, the official Twitter (X) account of Expedition 33 released a trailer introducing Gustave, a resourceful and dedicated engineer from Lumière, 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 primary combat weapons. In the overworld, he navigates environments with agility, jumping from one point to another. Combat sequences reveal Gustave's ability to inflict significant damage on enemies and his diverse skill set. However, specific details about character roles and mechanics remain undisclosed by the developers.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is scheduled for release on April 24, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest news on the game by following our dedicated coverage!