Clair Obscur: Unveiling History and Innovation in Antarctica

Sandfall Interactive's creative director, Guillaume Broche, recently unveiled key details about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, highlighting its historical influences and innovative gameplay mechanics. This article delves into the game's inspirations and unique features.

Real-World Influences and Gameplay Innovation

Title and Narrative Inspirations

Expedition 33 refers to a series of expeditions led by protagonist Gustave to defeat the Paintress, a being who uses a monolith to erase people from existence – a process Broche calls "Gommage." The trailer depicts the death of Gustave's partner after the Paintress marks the number 33, her current age.

Broche cited La Horde du Contrevent (a fantasy novel about explorers) and Attack on Titan (for its themes of venturing into the unknown) as narrative influences.

A Reimagined Turn-Based RPG

Broche emphasized the game's high-fidelity graphics, a rarity in the turn-based RPG genre. While acknowledging predecessors like Valkyria Chronicles and Project X Zone, Clair Obscur introduces a reactive turn-based combat system. Players strategize during their turn, but must react in real-time to enemy actions during the opponent's turn, dodging, jumping, or parrying to unleash powerful counterattacks.

The design draws inspiration from action games like the Souls series, Devil May Cry, and NieR, aiming to incorporate their rewarding gameplay into a turn-based framework.

Future Outlook

Broche's insights reveal a game rich in lore and narrative depth, grounded in real-world influences. The combination of high-fidelity visuals and a unique reactive battle system promises a fresh take on the turn-based RPG genre. The game requires strategic planning between turns, combined with real-time reactions during enemy turns.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is slated for release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2025. Broche expressed excitement about the positive reception and anticipation for the game's launch.