Discover the inspirations behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and get a first look at its 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 introduces unique real-time mechanics, enhancing player immersion and interaction. The game draws heavily from the rich tradition of JRPGs, particularly echoing the style and themes of classic Final Fantasy titles. During the 2025 Game Developers Conference, GamesRadar+ had the opportunity to discuss the game's inspirations with Expedition 33 Producer François Meurisse.

Meurisse highlighted that the game's director, Guillaume Broche, was influenced by childhood favorites such as Final Fantasy 7, 8, 9, and 10 on PlayStation. "Guillaume wanted to capture the essence of what modern Final Fantasy games might have been like if they had continued with turn-based mechanics," Meurisse explained. "While JRPGs and Final Fantasy are our primary gameplay influences, we've also incorporated a variety of other inspirations."

Despite the strong JRPG influence, Meurisse stressed the team's desire to forge a unique identity. "We didn't want to simply replicate Japanese game aesthetics with manga or anime-style graphics," he said. "Instead, we chose to develop an art direction inspired by the early 20th century Belle Époque, blending art deco elements with high fantasy. This approach allowed us to create a distinctive visual style that sets us apart."

Other Inspirations

Beyond JRPGs, Expedition 33 also takes cues from souls-like games, specifically Sekiro, for its defense mechanics. "Our defense system incorporates a rhythmic, real-time element inspired by Sekiro and From Software's games, making it more skill-based," Meurisse noted.

Additionally, the game integrates mechanics from deckbuilding games into its battle sequences. "We've adopted the concept of action points for skills in battles, which is more akin to deckbuilding games than traditional RPG mana systems," Meurisse added.

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 once more.

The trailer showcases Gustave wielding a sword and pistol as his primary combat tools. In the overworld, he is seen navigating and jumping between points. Combat footage reveals Gustave dealing significant damage to enemies with a variety of skills at his disposal. However, details about character roles and specific mechanics remain undisclosed by the developers.

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