Sandfall Interactive's creative director, Guillaume Broche, recently unveiled key details about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a turn-based RPG blending historical influences with innovative gameplay mechanics. The game's title itself draws inspiration from the 17th and 18th-century French artistic movement, "Clair Obscur," impacting both its visual style and overarching narrative. "Expedition 33" refers to a recurring group tasked with defeating the Paintress, a villain who erases ages by marking her monolith. The number 33 signifies the protagonist's partner's demise after the Paintress's latest act. Broche cited the fantasy novel La Horde du Contrevent and works like Attack on Titan as narrative inspirations, highlighting the appeal of perilous exploration.

Visually, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 distinguishes itself by pairing high-fidelity graphics with a classic turn-based system. Broche noted a gap in the market for high-quality turn-based RPGs, aiming to fill this void. The game innovates upon traditional turn-based combat by introducing a reactive system. Players strategize during their turns, but must react in real-time to enemy actions during the opponent's turn, dodging, jumping, or parrying to unleash counterattacks. Action titles such as the Souls series, Devil May Cry, and NieR served as inspirations for this dynamic combat.

The game's blend of historical context, visually stunning graphics, and a unique reactive turn-based system promises a fresh take on the genre. Scheduled for release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC by 2025, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has already generated significant excitement, with Broche expressing his team's enthusiasm for the project's reception. The upcoming months will undoubtedly reveal more details about this highly anticipated title.