"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Blends Sekiro, Belle Époque, and JRPG Styles"

Discover the inspirations behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, an upcoming game that blends elements from JRPGs, souls-like games, and more. Dive into the details and check out the first character trailer reveal.

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 to enhance player immersion and interaction. The game draws heavily from the rich tradition of JRPGs, particularly the iconic Final Fantasy series. During the 2025 Game Developers Conference, GamesRadar+ had the opportunity to speak with Expedition 33 Producer François Meurisse about the game's inspirations.

Meurisse revealed that the game's director, Guillaume Broche, was influenced by classic Final Fantasy titles such as Final Fantasy 7, 8, 9, and 10. "These are big childhood games for Guillaume, our game director," Meurisse explained. "He wanted to capture the essence of what modern Final Fantasy games might have been like if they had continued with turn-based mechanics. However, he also incorporated a variety of other inspirations. Final Fantasy and JRPGs are the cornerstone of our gameplay heritage."

While the gameplay is rooted in JRPG traditions, Meurisse emphasized the team's desire to forge a unique identity. "In terms of art style, we didn't want to simply mimic Japanese games with manga-like or anime-like graphics," he said. "Instead, we aimed to create an art direction inspired by our own influences. This led us to the early 20th century Belle Époque style, infused with art deco elements and high fantasy. We went through several iterations to find our unique visual identity, which has helped us stand out."

Other Inspirations

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

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 influenced by deckbuilding games than the traditional magic points or mana systems found in RPGs," Meurisse elaborated.

First Character Trailer

As the release date approaches, Expedition 33 is set to introduce its characters weekly. On March 13, the game's official Twitter (X) account 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, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest news by clicking on our article below!