Sandfall Interactive's founder and creative director shed light on the fascinating inspirations behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, revealing its historical roots and innovative gameplay mechanics.
Real-World Influences and Gameplay Innovation
The Name and Narrative: A Blend of History and Fantasy
In a July 29th interview, Guillaume Broche, founder and creative director of Sandfall Interactive, delved into the real-world influences shaping *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33*'s title and narrative.The game's title, "Clair Obscur," draws inspiration from the 17th and 18th-century French artistic and cultural movement of the same name. Broche explained that this movement significantly influenced the game's art style and overarching world.
"Expedition 33" refers to the protagonist Gustave's expedition group, tasked with destroying the enigmatic Paintress. Each year, a new expedition is sent to achieve this goal. The Paintress, using a monolith, paints a number to erase everyone of that age—a phenomenon Broche calls "the Gommage." The reveal trailer poignantly depicts the protagonist's partner perishing after the Paintress paints the number 33, her current age.
Broche also cited La Horde du Contrevent (The Wind's Horde), a fantasy novel about intrepid explorers, as a narrative influence. He added, "Stories about venturing into the unknown despite immense risks, like in Attack on Titan, have always captivated me."
A Modern Twist on Classic Turn-Based RPGs
Broche highlighted the game's unique approach to graphics: "High-fidelity graphics in turn-based RPGs have been surprisingly rare. We aimed to fill that gap." While real-time turn-based RPGs like Valkyria Chronicles and Project X Zone exist, Clair Obscur introduces a reactive turn-based battle system. Broche explained, "You strategize during your turn, but must react in real-time to enemy actions during their turn—dodging, jumping, or parrying to trigger powerful counterattacks."
The inspiration for this innovative system? Action games like the Souls series, Devil May Cry, and NieR. Broche stated, "We wanted to bring the rewarding gameplay of these titles into a turn-based setting."
Looking Ahead to 2025
Broche's insights reveal a game rich in historical influences and innovative gameplay. The combination of high-fidelity graphics and the reactive battle system promises a fresh take on the turn-based RPG genre. Players will need to plan carefully between turns while reacting swiftly to enemy attacks in real-time.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is slated for release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2025. Despite the wait, Broche concluded with an encouraging message: "We're thrilled by the excitement surrounding Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. As our first title, the reception has been incredible, and we can't wait to share more before launch next year."
