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

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: A Blend of JRPG, Sekiro, and Belle Époque

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an eagerly anticipated turn-based RPG that integrates unique real-time mechanics, offering players a deeper level of immersion and interaction. This upcoming game draws heavily from the rich heritage of JRPGs, while also introducing fresh elements inspired by other genres.

Building on JRPG Foundations

At the 2025 Game Developers Conference, Expedition 33's Producer, François Meurisse, shared insights into the game's inspirations with GamesRadar+. The game is deeply rooted in classic JRPGs, particularly influenced by the Final Fantasy series. Meurisse noted, "Final Fantasy 10 and earlier titles like Final Fantasy 7, 8, and 9 were significant influences for our game director, Guillaume Broche. He aimed to capture the essence of those childhood favorites while imagining how they might have evolved if they had remained turn-based."

While the gameplay echoes JRPGs, Meurisse emphasized the team's commitment to crafting a unique identity. "We didn't want to merely mimic Japanese games or adopt a manga-like or anime-like aesthetic," he explained. "Instead, we drew inspiration from the early 20th century's Belle Époque, blending art deco with high fantasy elements to create our distinctive art style."

Diverse Inspirations

Beyond JRPGs, Expedition 33 also incorporates elements from souls-like games, specifically Sekiro, for its defense mechanics. Meurisse highlighted, "Our defense system is inspired by Sekiro and From Software games, introducing a rhythm-based, real-time component that's more skill-focused."

Additionally, the game adopts mechanics from deckbuilding games for its battle sequences. "Instead of traditional magic points or mana, we use action points for skills in battles, which is more akin to deckbuilding games," Meurisse added.

Introducing Gustave: The First Character Trailer

As Expedition 33 approaches its release date, the game is set to unveil its characters weekly. On March 13, the official Twitter (X) account of Expedition 33 released a trailer introducing Gustave, a resourceful and dedicated engineer from Lumière. Gustave is poised to lead Expedition 33 in their mission to defeat the Paintress, preventing her from painting death ever again.

The trailer showcases Gustave wielding a sword and pistol, navigating the overworld with agility, and delivering powerful attacks in combat. While the trailer provides a glimpse into Gustave's capabilities, the developers have not yet detailed his role and mechanics within the game.

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. Stay updated with the latest news by clicking on the article below!