Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a highly anticipated turn-based RPG, combines unique real-time mechanics to enhance player immersion and interaction. The game pays homage to the rich heritage of JRPGs, drawing significant inspiration from the iconic Final Fantasy series. During the 2025 Game Developers Conference, François Meurisse, the producer of Expedition 33, shared insights into the game's inspirations with GamesRadar+.
Meurisse highlighted that the game's director, Guillaume Broche, was heavily influenced by classic Final Fantasy titles such as Final Fantasy 7, 8, 9, and 10. "Those are big childhood games for Guillaume, our game director," Meurisse explained. "He wanted to capture the essence of what modern Final Fantasy-like games could have been if they had continued with turn-based mechanics, while also integrating a variety of other inspirations. Final Fantasy and JRPGs form the core of our gameplay heritage."
While the gameplay echoes JRPGs, Meurisse emphasized the team's desire to forge a distinctive identity. "In terms of art style, we didn't want to simply mimic Japanese games with manga or anime-like graphics," he said. "Instead, we aimed to create an art direction rooted in our own influences, leading us to incorporate the early 20th century Belle Époque aesthetic with art deco elements and high fantasy. It took several iterations to achieve our unique visual style, which sets us apart."
Other Inspirations
Beyond JRPGs, Expedition 33 also draws from souls-like games, particularly Sekiro, for its defense mechanics. "The defense system is inspired by Sekiro and From Software games, incorporating a rhythmic element and a more real-time component, making it more skill-based," Meurisse noted.
Additionally, the game integrates mechanics from deckbuilding games into its battle sequences. "For instance, the concept of using action points for skills in battles is more akin to deckbuilding games than the traditional magic points or mana systems found in RPGs," Meurisse elaborated.
First Character Trailer
As Expedition 33 approaches its release, the game will introduce characters weekly. On March 13, the official Twitter (X) account of Expedition 33 unveiled a trailer featuring 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 weapons. In the overworld, he is seen navigating and jumping between points. Combat footage reveals Gustave dealing significant damage to enemies and utilizing a variety of skills. However, the developers have yet to disclose detailed information about character roles and related mechanics.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is scheduled for release on April 24, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest news on the game by clicking on our article below!
