Ethan's Discoveries Unravel Clair Obscur's Past

Sandfall Interactive's debut title, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, blends historical influences with innovative gameplay mechanics. This article delves into the game's creative origins and unique battle system.

Historical Inspiration and Gameplay Innovation

Name and Narrative Origins

The game's title, "Clair Obscur," draws from the 17th and 18th-century French artistic and cultural movement of the same name, significantly impacting the game's visual style and overall world-building. "Expedition 33" refers to a series of expeditions led by protagonist Gustave to defeat the Paintress, a being who erases entire generations through a process called "Gommage," marked by numbers painted on a monolith. The game's reveal trailer showcased the death of Gustave's partner after the Paintress painted the number 33, hinting at her current age.

Broche cited the fantasy novel La Horde du Contrevent and the anime/manga Attack on Titan as key narrative inspirations, highlighting his fascination with stories of perilous journeys into the unknown.

A Modern Twist on Classic Turn-Based RPGs

Broche emphasized the game's commitment to high-fidelity graphics within the turn-based RPG genre, a largely unexplored territory. While acknowledging predecessors like Valkyria Chronicles and Project X Zone, Clair Obscur introduces a "reactive turn-based" combat system. Players strategize during their turns, but must react in real-time to enemy attacks during the opponent's turn, dodging, parrying, or jumping to trigger powerful counterattacks.

This innovative system draws inspiration from action games like the Souls series, Devil May Cry, and NieR, aiming to incorporate the rewarding gameplay of those titles into a turn-based framework.

Future Prospects

Broche's insights reveal a game deeply rooted in historical research and artistic vision, while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of the turn-based RPG genre. The combination of stunning visuals and a dynamic, reactive battle system promises a fresh and engaging experience for players.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is slated for release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2025. Despite the time until launch, Broche expressed enthusiasm for the positive reception and anticipates sharing more information leading up to the game's release.