Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Coming in 2025
This new year 2025 has arrived packed with exciting news for the gaming community, and that can only mean good things for us, right? Of course, we might encounter the occasional disappointment, but hey, when there’s a chance things might go well or poorly, I choose to be optimistic. How about you?
That said, I believe one of those good news stories might come from the French studio Sandfall Interactive, which at some point in 2025 will bring us Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a turn-based RPG that is visually stunning. It strongly reminds us of some of the best Final Fantasy titles in the franchise, perhaps especially FFXIII, but it also shows shades of Persona in its gameplay, particularly in its interface.
With Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Sandfall Interactive seeks to make this new franchise chart its own course, and at first glance, it certainly has its own identity. In fact, just taking a look at the video included in this article might make you question how a team of approximately 30 people managed to develop it. This new RPG takes us to a fantastical world where a mysterious entity has the power to end the lives of people who reach a certain age. Just as this dark being determines the end of life, there are also heroes who decide to fight for it. Our team, Expedition 33, is a group of brave individuals who refuse to die, taking control of their lives and battling relentlessly in an environment inspired by Belle Époque France.
A Countdown for Life
Gustave, Maelle, and the rest of their group, our protagonists, have only one year left to live, and this is precisely where their adventure begins: trying to put an end to the Peintresse. We will have to trace the paths of previous expeditions, uncover their fate, and form a team to embark on an extreme mission as a last resort. The journey is a key element of the game, with breathtaking landscapes brought to life through the power of Unreal Engine 5. This is not an open world, but rather instances that mark a linear progression, albeit with branches that allow us to explore and discover secrets as well as hidden missions. In other words, it’s a JRPG style reminiscent of the past decade. But don’t take this as a criticism. It’s not. Expedition 33 undoubtedly evokes much of what made history and remains etched in our hearts from the games of those years, though it is clearly enhanced by the stunning visuals made possible by today’s powerful graphics engines.
Another aspect that will pleasantly surprise us is its combat system. While many of us are accustomed to the classic turn-based system, here Sandfall Interactive aims to add an extra twist to this idea, allowing characters to perform real-time actions with each hit and defense. We have seen similar concepts in the past, but definitely not at this level. We will be able to increase damage by reacting at just the right moment or even counterattack, taking full advantage of character skills and synergies. This undoubtedly achieves a deeper immersion in the action. We will even be able to aim at enemies in first person and perform ranged attacks, which ultimately completes the global idea that this is definitely not a conventional RPG. As we mentioned before, it is a title that seeks to assert its own identity.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is much more than a collection of ideas thrown on a table or a clone of other greats from the past within the same genre. Obviously, there are influences and inspirations from major franchises, as it clearly suggests at first glance, but this RPG undeniably presents significant and delightful differences that are nothing short of innovative. It is also enriched by its carefully crafted narrative approach and mechanics that will delight both casual players and those truly seeking a challenge.
Expedition 33 will arrive on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series at some point in 2025. We hope it will be during the first months of the year, so we will need to stay tuned for future updates from its developers. And as you already know, while we wait, why not head to the comments and share your thoughts on this proposal? You know, gamers, we will be reading you! 😊
Images Source: Sandfall Interactive Official YouTube Channel, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Official Website
