Sandfall Interactive has unveiled exciting new details about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, including its release date, characters, and gameplay mechanics, during Xbox's Developer Direct. Dive in to discover everything you need to know about this highly anticipated game!
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 In-Depth Information Unveiled
Put an End to the Paintress's Madness This April 2025
Set in a captivating world inspired by "Belle Epoque France," Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set to launch on April 24, 2025, as announced by Sandfall Interactive during Xbox's Developer Direct. This eagerly awaited title promises to redefine turn-based combat with innovative mechanics, and it will be available on day one with Xbox Game Pass.
Players can pre-order the base game for $44.99 or opt for the Deluxe Edition at $59.99 on the Xbox Store. For those on Steam and PS5, both editions are available at a 10% discount, priced at $44.99 and $53.99 respectively. The game can only be wishlisted on the Epic Games Store at this time.
The Steam discount will conclude on May 2, 2025, while the PlayStation discount remains available until the game’s release date at 3:00 PM (local time). Note that PS5 players need an active PlayStation Plus subscription to benefit from this introductory offer.
In addition to the release date, Sandfall Interactive shared detailed insights into the game's new characters and gameplay mechanics.
New Characters of Expedition 33: Monoco and Esquie
The full cast of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been revealed, introducing seven fully playable characters and one dedicated to exploration. The latest additions, Monoco and Esquie, bring unique abilities to the 33rd expedition.
Monoco, the team's "friendly and bloodthirsty Gestral," thrives in combat, viewing competition as a meditative practice. This character can transform into defeated enemies, harnessing their powers to add a dynamic layer to combat. Unaffected by the Paintress' power, Monoco joined the expedition eager to engage in future battles.
Esquie, known as the oldest and strongest being in the world, plays a crucial role in exploration. While not directly involved in combat, Esquie enables the team to access various locations across the open world map. Collecting special stones from Esquie unlocks new abilities and opens up previously inaccessible areas, enriching the game's exploration aspect.
The other playable characters, Gustave, Lune, Maelle, Sciel, Renoir, and Verso, were previously introduced in a YouTube video on October 16, 2024. Despite their diverse personalities and motivations, these characters have united to break the cycle of death.
Turn-Based Combat Innovation and Deep Character Customization
Sandfall Interactive aims to elevate Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 beyond its stunning visuals by innovating classic turn-based RPG combat, as highlighted in an Xbox Wire article dated January 23, 2025.
"We didn’t want the game to just be a pretty face," stated CEO and creative director Guillaume Broche. "We wanted it to feel like a real game. Each character has their own playstyle, and you can really play them in a lot of different ways – they feel very different from each other, with unique mechanics and skill trees."
To achieve this, the developers introduced a real-time element into the turn-based combat, allowing players to dodge enemy attacks or execute powerful parries for massive damage. By pressing specific buttons, characters can deliver more potent attacks. This innovative system, known as the reactive turn-based system, caters to players of all skill levels, with adjustable difficulty settings that modify the parry and dodge windows.
The game also offers extensive character customization options. Each character features unique mechanics and skill trees, such as Lune’s ability to accumulate and utilize "Stain" to enhance her abilities. Players can gain Luminas, passive effects, by evolving "Pictos," equipment modifiers, after four battles. Once Pictos are transformed into Luminas, they become permanent, allowing for extensive character modification.
With deep customization, players can experiment with hundreds of different builds, tailoring each character to their preferred playstyle. The reactive turn-based system adds a fresh twist to traditional combat, challenging both strategic thinking and reflexes.
