Explore the inspirations behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a game that blends the charm of JRPGs with unique twists. Dive into details about its influences and get a glimpse of 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 incorporates innovative real-time mechanics, enhancing player immersion and interaction. The game draws significant inspiration from the classic JRPG genre, notably the Final Fantasy series, which has profoundly influenced its mechanics and thematic elements. At the 2025 Game Developers Conference, François Meurisse, the producer of Expedition 33, shared insights with GamesRadar+ on the game's roots.
Meurisse highlighted that games like Final Fantasy 10 and earlier PlayStation titles such as Final Fantasy 7, 8, and 9 were pivotal in shaping Expedition 33. "These are significant childhood games for our game director, Guillaume Broche," he stated. "He aimed to capture the essence that could have evolved in modern Final Fantasy games had they continued with turn-based combat. However, he also integrated a variety of other inspirations, with JRPGs and Final Fantasy being the cornerstone of our gameplay heritage."
While the gameplay heavily leans on JRPG traditions, Meurisse stressed the importance of creating a distinct identity. "We chose not to replicate the typical Japanese game aesthetics, such as manga or anime styles," he explained. "Instead, we developed an art direction inspired by our own cultural influences. This led us to embrace the early 20th-century Belle Époque style, combined with art deco and high fantasy elements. It took several iterations to carve out our unique visual identity, which ultimately set us apart."
Other Inspirations
Beyond JRPGs, Expedition 33 also incorporates elements from souls-like games, specifically drawing from Sekiro's defense mechanics. "Our defense system borrows heavily from Sekiro and From Software's games, introducing a rhythmic and real-time element that emphasizes skill," Meurisse noted.
Additionally, the game integrates mechanics from deckbuilding games into its battle system. "The concept of using action points for skills during battles was inspired more by deckbuilding games than the traditional magic 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 ever again.
The trailer showcases Gustave wielding a sword and pistol, navigating the overworld with agility, and dealing significant damage to enemies with a range of skills. While the developers have yet to detail specific character roles and mechanics, Gustave's introduction has certainly heightened anticipation for the game.
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 our article below!
