Sandfall Interactive has unveiled exciting new details about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, including its release date, characters, and innovative gameplay mechanics, during Xbox's Developer Direct. Dive in to discover what awaits in this highly anticipated game!

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 In-Depth Information Unveiled

Put an End to the Paintress's Madness This April 2025

Set in a captivating fantasy world inspired by "Belle Epoque France," Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set to launch on April 24, 2025, as announced by Sandfall Interactive during Xbox's Developer Direct. This reveal showcases the game's innovative take on classic turn-based combat, crafted from the ground up by the dedicated team at Sandfall Interactive. Excitingly, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will be available on day one with Xbox Game Pass.

Pre-orders are now open, with the base game available for $44.99 and the Deluxe Edition for $59.99 on the Xbox Store. Both editions are offered at a 10% discount on Steam and PS5, priced at $44.99 and $53.99 respectively. While the game can only be wishlisted on the Epic Games Store, the Steam discount will end on May 2, 2025, and the PlayStation discount will be available until the game’s release date at 3:00 PM (local time), exclusively for PlayStation Plus subscribers.

Alongside the release date announcement, Sandfall Interactive has provided an in-depth look at the game’s new characters and its gameplay mechanics.

New Characters of Expedition 33: Monoco and Esquie

The game's full cast has been revealed, expanding to include seven fully playable characters and one dedicated to exploration. Meet Monoco and Esquie, the latest additions to the 33rd expedition.

Monoco, a "friendly and bloodthirsty Gestral," thrives on combat and views competition as a form of meditation. This unique being can transform into defeated enemies, adding a dynamic layer to combat by harnessing the powers of fallen foes. Unaffected by the Paintress’ power, Monoco joined the expedition in anticipation of the thrilling battles ahead.

Esquie, on the other hand, is a living legend known as the oldest and strongest being in the world. While Esquie takes a backseat in combat, this character is crucial for unlocking various locations across an expansive open world map. By collecting Esquie's special stones, players can unlock new abilities and access previously unreachable areas.

The other playable characters—Gustave, Lune, Maelle, Sciel, Renoir, and Verso—were previously showcased in a YouTube video on October 16, 2024. Despite their diverse personalities and motivations, they have united to break the cycle of death once and for all.

Turn-Based Combat Innovation and Deep Character Customization

Sandfall Interactive aims to redefine the classic turn-based RPG combat in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, as highlighted in an Xbox Wire article dated January 23, 2025. CEO and creative director Guillaume Broche emphasized, "We didn’t want the game to just be a pretty face. We wanted it to feel like a real game. Each character has their own playstyle, allowing for diverse play experiences, yet they remain distinct with unique mechanics and skill trees."

The game introduces a reactive turn-based system, blending real-time elements into traditional combat. Players can dodge enemy attacks or execute powerful parries to inflict significant damage. For those without "Sekiro-caliber timing," difficulty settings can be adjusted to widen the parry and dodge windows, making the game accessible to all skill levels.

Deep character customization is another highlight, with each character possessing unique mechanics and skill trees. For instance, Lune can accumulate a resource called "Stain" to enhance her abilities. Players can also evolve "Pictos," modifiers linked to equipment, into permanent "Luminas" after four battles, further tailoring their characters. With hundreds of potential builds, players can craft a playstyle that perfectly matches their preferences, blending strategic depth with reactive gameplay.