During the Xbox Games Showcase 2024, the turn-based RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was announced for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Game Pass and PC in 2025.
Players can look forward to an adventure to destroy a creature called the Artist before she wipes out the last survivors of humanity. This title is also Sandfall Interactive’s debut game. The game was previously called Project W and will be published by Kepler Interactive.
It will “immerse players in an original world mixing fantasy and European influences of Belle Époque art.” Additionally, the title was created using Unreal Engine 5.
The trailer showcases talented voice acting, plenty of immersive environments, and engaging turn-based combat. The artist wakes up and paints on her monolith once a year, and the cursed number she paints tells the age that those who reach that age will fade. Their numbers dwindle each year, with the latest being 33. The cast, Expedition 33, has one last mission to defeat the Artist to stop her from controlling death.
This evolution of the JRPG features real-time action that enhances turn-based combat. Party members have unique builds influenced by gear, stats, skills, and synergies. Real-time dodging, parrying and countering will also be possible, with combo chains through attack rhythms and targeting enemy weak points through a free-aim system.
Environments include the Island of Visages and the Forgotten Battlefield, with hidden quests, special companions to recruit, new travel methods and secret areas.
You can see official screenshots and key images for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 via our gallery below:
The character profiles are quoted below:
Gustave – A resourceful and dedicated engineer. Gustave grew up feeling suffocated by the artist’s constant presence over Lumiere. As an engineer, he has dedicated his life to the city’s defense and agricultural systems, striving to protect and provide for its people. Now, as an expeditor, he dedicates the last year of his life to defeating the Artist and reclaiming the future for the children of Lumiere.
Moon – Passionate scientist and magician. The daughter of prominent researchers, Lun has a deep thirst for knowledge and has sacrificed everything to complete her parents’ work. Her only goal is to unravel the mystery of the Artist. Entrusted with charting the course for the expedition, Lun acutely feels the weight of the responsibility and the stakes involved. She cannot and will not allow the expedition to fail.
Sciel – A cheerful and calm warrior. A farmer turned teacher, Sciel is warm-hearted and outgoing, enjoying life day by day. She is at ease with death, having long ago accepted the brutality of their world. But her teasing smile hides a dark and painful past. Although she is deeply committed to the expedition, she is not troubled by the specter of failure. They will do everything in their power and it will either be enough or it won’t.
Mael – A shy loner, eager to fly. Orphaned at the age of 3, Mael never felt at home in Lumiere. She has difficulty connecting and experiencing others, but has come to appreciate her foster brother, Gustave. At 16 years old, Maelle is significantly younger than the other expeditioners. In contrast, she sees the expedition as her chance to explore the world beyond Lumiere and finally forge her own destiny.
Guillaume Brochet, Sandfall Interactive founder and creative director, had the following to say:
“We’ve poured our hearts and souls into creating the game of our dreams, something that will feel fresh and new, so we sincerely hope you enjoy discovering the world and characters we’ve lovingly created.” With an incredible and epic story, a unique jet-setting system and a huge hand-crafted world to explore, we’ve done our best to make the journey in Expedition 33 one you’ll never forget. We can’t wait to share more with you as we get closer to release!”
The official website has a preview of the soundtrack.
We will keep you posted on this exciting project.
