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

Discover the inspirations behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, an upcoming turn-based RPG that blends elements from classic JRPGs and more. Dive into the details and watch the first character trailer reveal.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Ramping Up Towards Its Release

Building the Heritage of JRPGs

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an innovative turn-based RPG that introduces unique real-time mechanics, promising a deeper level of immersion and interaction for players. Drawing heavily from the rich legacy of JRPGs, particularly the iconic Final Fantasy series, the game aims to evoke the nostalgic feel of classics like Final Fantasy 7, 8, 9, and 10. In a recent interview at the 2025 Game Developers Conference, François Meurisse, the producer of Expedition 33, shared insights into the game's inspirations.

Meurisse highlighted that the game director, Guillaume Broche, was deeply influenced by his childhood favorites. "He wanted to capture the essence that might have remained in modern Final Fantasy games if they had continued with turn-based mechanics," Meurisse explained. "Yet, he also incorporated a variety of other influences, ensuring that JRPGs and Final Fantasy form the core of our gameplay heritage."

While the gameplay mechanics pay homage to JRPGs, the art style of Expedition 33 stands out with its unique approach. "We didn't want to simply replicate the look of Japanese games with manga-like or anime-like graphics," Meurisse said. "Instead, we chose to draw from the Belle Époque period of the early 20th century, integrating art deco elements with high fantasy to create a distinctive visual identity. It took several iterations to find the right balance, but it ultimately helped us carve out our own niche in the art world."

Other Inspirations

Beyond JRPGs, Expedition 33 also incorporates elements from souls-like games, notably Sekiro, in its defense mechanics. "The defense system introduces a rhythmic element and a more real-time component, making it more skill-based, much like Sekiro and other From Software titles," Meurisse noted.

Additionally, the game innovates its battle sequences by borrowing from deckbuilding games. "We've integrated action points for skills in battles, which is more akin to deckbuilding games rather than the traditional magic points or mana system found in most 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, the resourceful engineer from Lumière. Gustave is poised to lead Expedition 33 in their mission to stop the Paintress from painting death again.

The trailer showcases Gustave wielding a sword and pistol as his main combat tools. In the overworld, he navigates and jumps with agility. Combat scenes reveal his ability to deal significant damage and utilize a range of skills. While the developers have not yet detailed character roles and mechanics fully, Gustave's introduction has sparked excitement among fans.

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 by clicking on the article below!