Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Announces Release Date, Combat Details Revealed

Sandfall Interactive has shared exciting new details about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, including its release date, characters, and innovative gameplay mechanics, all unveiled during Xbox's Developer Direct. Dive in to discover what awaits in this eagerly anticipated game!

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 In-Depth Information Unveiled

Put an End to the Paintress's Madness This April 2025

Set in a mesmerizing fantasy world inspired by "Belle Epoque France," Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is gearing up for its grand debut on April 24, 2025. Sandfall Interactive made this exciting announcement during Xbox's Developer Direct, confirming that fans can immerse themselves in this adventure right from day one on Xbox Game Pass.

You can pre-order the base game for $44.99 or opt for the Deluxe Edition at $59.99 through the Xbox Store. Both editions come with a 10% discount on Steam and PS5, priced at $44.99 and $53.99 respectively. While the game is available for wishlisting on the Epic Games Store, it's currently not open for pre-orders.

Keep in mind, the Steam discount will end on May 2, 2025, and the PlayStation discount will be valid until the game's release date at 3:00 PM (local time). PS5 players must be subscribed to PlayStation Plus to enjoy this introductory offer.

Beyond the release date, Sandfall Interactive has provided a deep dive into the game’s new characters and its innovative gameplay mechanics.

New Characters of Expedition 33: Monoco and Esquie

The developers have introduced the full cast of characters, expanding to seven fully playable members and one dedicated to exploration. Meet Monoco and Esquie, the latest additions to the 33rd expedition.

Monoco, the team’s "friendly and bloodthirsty Gestral," finds joy in combat and sees it as a form of meditation. This character has the unique ability to transform into defeated enemies, harnessing their powers to add an intriguing twist to the combat dynamics. Monoco's immunity to the Paintress’ power makes them a valuable asset to the team.

Esquie, on the other hand, is a living legend, known as the oldest and strongest being in the world. While Esquie doesn’t participate directly in combat, they play a crucial role in exploration, granting access to various locations across the expansive open world. Collecting Esquie's special stones will unlock new abilities and reveal hidden areas, enhancing the adventure.

The rest of the playable cast, introduced on October 16, 2024, via a YouTube video, includes Gustave, Lune, Maelle, Sciel, Renoir, and Verso. Despite their diverse backgrounds and motivations, they unite to break the cycle of death.

Turn-Based Combat Innovation and Deep Character Customization

Sandfall Interactive is redefining the classic turn-based RPG combat in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, as highlighted in an Xbox Wire article on January 23, 2025. The CEO and creative director, Guillaume Broche, stated, "We didn’t want the game to just be a pretty face. We wanted it to feel like a real game, where every character has their own playstyle, offering multiple ways to play."

The game introduces a reactive turn-based system, blending real-time elements into combat. Players can dodge enemy attacks or parry for massive damage, and execute more powerful attacks with precise button presses. To cater to all skill levels, the game allows adjustments to the difficulty settings, affecting the timing windows for parries and dodges.

Additionally, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 offers extensive character customization. Each character boasts unique mechanics and skill trees, such as Lune’s ability to harness "Stain" to enhance her abilities. Players can also evolve "Pictos," modifiers tied to equipment, into permanent "Luminas" after four battles, offering a plethora of customization options.

With such depth in character customization, players can experiment with countless builds to tailor their playstyle. The reactive turn-based system adds a fresh layer of strategy and reflex-based challenges, making Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 a must-play for RPG enthusiasts.