Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been confirmed to release on April 24, 2025. This gorgeous-looking RPG will launch on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, and will be available on day one as part of Xbox Game Pass.
We visited French studio Sandfall Interactive during the Xbox Developer_Direct presentation to get the latest look at their game. While it’s not strictly speaking a JRPG – because it’s obviously not Japanese – Clair Obscur took inspiration from this subgenre, combining it with the fantasy world of Belle Epoque France to create a turn-based RPG experience.
In the game, you follow another doomed expedition as they set out to stop the Malacca from literally ending the lives of people of a certain age. The painter appeared 67 years ago next to the monolith, waking up each year to paint a up-to-date number that will sweep away everyone at that age. That’s why each year an expedition sets out to overcome an existential threat – all while dealing with the loss and grief they’ve already faced.
The Expedition crew consists of four people. Gustave and Lune are deeply committed to the mission, although they argue and bicker constantly. Sciel has already experienced her darkest days, while Miel is most interested in finding the meaning of his life.
There is also a rather strange looking Gestral NPC named Monoco who will join your Expedition, who has a monkey body and a flat rectangular face. Esquie is a fun, antique character who can act as a mount to reach up-to-date regions.
What they have in common is a 3D world map, a nod to classic JRPGs like the early Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest games.
Clair Obscur will build on the tried and true turn-based RPG combat, with the addition of some refreshing twists, such as an dynamic QTE element, both through attacks and time blocks and counter-attacks, and a Persona-like menu that evolves from the characters. If you’re not good at time blocks, you can instead rely on items and character builds to get by.
The character builds have a lot of depth as each of them has 20 dynamic skills and plenty of passive skills, so there will be some real minimum and maximum skills to be found with the playstyle you choose.
We caught the game again at Gamescom 2024 and our preview described it as poignant and picturesque.
