Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an upcoming 2025 role-playing video game developed by Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive. The game is scheduled to release for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on 24 April 2025.[1]

Gameplay

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a turn-based role-playing video game that includes real time aspects such as quick time events and timing-based actions both in offense and defense.[2][3] In defense, all attacks can be either dodged or parried.[2][3]

Plot

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 takes place in a dark fantasy Belle Époque setting.[2][4] The protagonists Gustave (Charlie Cox), Maelle (Jennifer English), Lune (Kirsty Rider), Sciel (Shala Nyx), Renoir (Andy Serkis), Verso (Ben Starr), Monoco (Rich Keeble) and Esquie (Maxence Cazorla) attempt to stop the Paintress, whose god-like powers can kill everyone of a given age she draws on her dwelling, a giant monolith.[3][5][6][7][8]

Development

Sandfall Interactive is a French video game developer.[5] According to CEO and creative director Guillaume Broche, one of the goals of Clair Obscur was to create a high fidelity turn based RPG, which he felt had been neglected by AAA game developers.[2] According to Broche, Clair Obscur takes inspiration from Japanese role-playing games, with Broche noting the Final Fantasy and Persona series specifically.[9] The development team consists of about 30 people.[4][6]

Development initially began in Unreal Engine 4 but later switched to Unreal Engine 5 to take advantage of Unreal Engine 5's improvements in rendering and animation.[4][6] The switch to UE5 was motivated by its Nanite and Lumen features, allowing for higher fidelity assets and more realistic lighting respectively.[10] The adoption of Lumen necessitated reworking the lighting for most environments.[10] Additionally, UE5 brought better character creation support, allowing them to switch from Character Creator.[10] The developers also make use of ready-made assets for background objects such as rocks, which allows them to focus on creating ‘hero assets,’ ie. large scale assets that make an impression on the viewer.[10]

Film adaptation

In January 2025, Story Kitchen announced a live-action adaptation of the game with developer Sandfall Interactive.[11]

References

  1. ^ Regan, Tom (1 January 2025). "Games to look forward to in 2025: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33". The Guardian.
  2. ^ a b c d Nightingale, Ed (28 August 2024). "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's fresh take on RPG traditions could revitalise the genre". Eurogamer.
  3. ^ a b c Purslow, Matt (28 August 2024). "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - The First Preview". IGN.
  4. ^ a b c Jones, Robert (28 August 2024). "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 creative director speaks about the dark fantasy RPG's stunning Unreal Engine 5 graphics: 'It's a key foundation for the studio to really look for the latest technology'". PC Gamer.
  5. ^ a b Donaldson, Alex (28 August 2024). "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is reminding me of the greatest Lord of the Rings game". VG247.
  6. ^ a b c Young, Jennifer (29 August 2024). "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set in a breathtakingly beautiful world — with fully fleshed characters and a unique combat system that belies its small team". Windows Central.
  7. ^ "Meet our English Voice Cast". Expedition 33. 16 October 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  8. ^ Allman, Dan (23 January 2025). "Release Date Trailer". Expedition 33. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  9. ^ Jones, Robert (28 August 2024). "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 creative director speaks candidly about the new RPG's respect for Final Fantasy and Persona: 'We are definitely not hiding that there are influences'". PC Gamer.
  10. ^ a b c d Packwood, Lewis (18 February 2025). "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: using Unreal Engine 5 has its pros and cons". Creative Bloq.
  11. ^ Otterson, Joe (30 January 2025). "'Clair Obscur: Expedition 33' Live-Action Film in the Works From Story Kitchen, Sandfall Interactive". Variety. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
Allikas: Https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clair_Obscur:_Expedition_33
No tags for this post.