Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a highly anticipated game that draws inspiration from a variety of sources, notably paying homage to the rich heritage of JRPGs. This article delves into the inspirations behind the game and highlights the reveal of its first character trailer.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Ramping Up Towards Its Release

Building the Heritage of JRPGs

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an innovative turn-based RPG that introduces unique real-time mechanics to enhance player immersion and interaction. The game echoes the spirit of classic JRPGs, particularly the Final Fantasy series, through its mechanics and thematic elements. During the 2025 Game Developers Conference, GamesRadar+ interviewed Expedition 33 Producer François Meurisse, who discussed the game's inspirations.

Meurisse revealed that the game draws heavily from Final Fantasy titles such as Final Fantasy 10, as well as earlier PlayStation entries like Final Fantasy 7, 8, and 9. "These are significant childhood games for Guillaume [Broche], our game director," he explained. "He aimed to capture the essence that he felt would persist in modern Final Fantasy-like games if they had continued with turn-based systems. However, he also incorporated a wide range of other inspirations. Final Fantasy and JRPGs are certainly the primary gameplay heritage we have."

While the gameplay is rooted in JRPGs, Meurisse stressed the importance of creating a distinctive game with a unique art style. "For the art style, we deliberately avoided mimicking Japanese games with their typical manga-like or anime-like graphics," he said. "Instead, we chose to develop an art direction influenced by our own cultural background. This led us to adopt an early 20th-century Belle Époque style with art deco elements blended with high fantasy. We went through several iterations to carve out our unique visual identity, which truly set us apart."

Other Inspirations

Beyond JRPGs, Expedition 33 also takes cues from souls-like games, specifically Sekiro, in its defensive mechanics. Meurisse noted, "The defense system is inspired by Sekiro and From Software games, incorporating a rhythmic element and a more real-time aspect that emphasizes skill."

Additionally, the game integrates mechanics from deckbuilding games into its battle sequences. Meurisse explained, "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."

First Character Trailer

As Expedition 33 approaches its release, the game will introduce new characters on a weekly basis. On March 13, the official Twitter (X) account of Expedition 33 released a trailer featuring Gustave, the resourceful and dedicated engineer from Lumière, who is poised to lead Expedition 33 in their mission to stop the Paintress from painting death.

The trailer showcases Gustave wielding a sword and pistol as his primary combat weapons. In the overworld, he is seen navigating and leaping between different points. Combat footage reveals Gustave delivering powerful blows to enemies and utilizing a variety of skills. However, the developers have not yet disclosed detailed information about character roles and related mechanics.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is slated for release on April 24, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. To keep up with the latest updates on the game, be sure to check out our article below!