Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: A Blend of Historical Inspiration and Gameplay Innovation
Sandfall Interactive's debut title, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, draws inspiration from diverse sources, resulting in a unique blend of historical context and innovative gameplay mechanics. Founder and creative director, Guillaume Broche, recently shed light on the game's development, revealing key influences and design choices.
Historical Influences and Narrative:
The game's name, "Clair Obscur," directly references the 17th and 18th-century French artistic and cultural movement, impacting the game's visual style and overarching world. "Expedition 33" refers to a series of annual expeditions led by protagonist Gustave to defeat the Paintress, a mysterious antagonist who uses a process called "Gommage" to erase individuals from existence by painting a number on her monolith. The number 33 signifies the Paintress' current age, as tragically revealed in the game's trailer.
Broche cites the fantasy novel La Horde du Contrevent and works like Attack on Titan as narrative inspirations, highlighting the appeal of stories about perilous journeys into the unknown.
Reimagining Turn-Based RPG Combat:
Broche emphasizes the game's commitment to high-fidelity graphics within the turn-based RPG genre, a relatively unexplored area. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 goes beyond traditional turn-based combat by introducing a reactive system. While players strategically plan their actions during their turn, they must react in real-time to enemy attacks during the opponent's turn, dodging, jumping, or parrying to trigger powerful counterattacks. This innovative system draws inspiration from action titles like the Souls series, Devil May Cry, and NieR, aiming to integrate the rewarding gameplay of those franchises into a turn-based setting.
Looking Ahead:
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 promises a unique gaming experience, blending rich historical influences with a fresh take on turn-based combat. The game is slated for release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2025. Broche expresses enthusiasm for the positive reception and anticipates sharing more details leading up to the launch.
