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 into the world of this highly anticipated game and discover what awaits you!

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 In-Depth Information Unveiled

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

Set in a fantasy 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 revelation has fans eagerly marking their calendars.

The game has been crafted from the ground up by Sandfall Interactive, with a focus on reimagining and innovating classic turn-based combat. Excitingly, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will be available on day one with Xbox Game Pass, making it accessible to a wide audience right from the start.

Players can pre-order the base game for $44.99 or opt for the Deluxe Edition at $59.99 on the Xbox Store. Both editions are available at a 10% discount on Steam and PS5, priced at $44.99 and $53.99 respectively. The game is currently only available for wishlisting on the Epic Games Store.

The Steam discount will end on May 2, 2025, while the PlayStation discount will be available until the game's release date at 3:00 PM (local time). PS5 players must be subscribed to PlayStation Plus to take advantage of this introductory offer.

In addition to the release date, Sandfall Interactive shared detailed insights into the game's new characters and its innovative gameplay mechanics.

New Characters of Expedition 33: Monoco and Esquie

The developer has unveiled the complete cast of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, featuring seven fully playable characters and one dedicated to exploration. The latest additions, Monoco and Esquie, bring unique abilities and depth to the game.

Monoco, described as the team's "friendly and bloodthirsty Gestral," thrives on combat, viewing it as a form of meditation. This character can transform into defeated enemies, adding a strategic layer to combat by harnessing the powers of fallen foes. Monoco joined the expedition out of curiosity for future battles, and notably, Gestrals are immune to the Paintress's influence.

Esquie, on the other hand, is a legendary figure known as the oldest and strongest being in the world. While Esquie takes a more supportive role in combat, this character is crucial for unlocking new areas and abilities across the open world by collecting special stones.

The other playable characters, previously revealed on October 16, 2024, via a YouTube video, include Gustave, Lune, Maelle, Sciel, Renoir, and Verso. Despite their diverse backgrounds and motivations, they have united to break the cycle of death once and for all.

Turn-Based Combat Innovation and Deep Character Customization

Sandfall Interactive is committed to enhancing the classic turn-based RPG combat system, as detailed in an Xbox Wire article dated January 23, 2025. CEO and creative director Guillaume Broche emphasized the team's goal to create a game that feels truly engaging and distinct.

"We didn’t want the game to just be a pretty face," Broche stated. "We wanted it to feel like a real game. Each character has their own playstyle, offering numerous ways to play them, while still maintaining their unique mechanics and skill trees."

The game introduces a reactive turn-based system, blending real-time elements into traditional turn-based combat. Players can dodge enemy attacks or parry to inflict significant damage. Additionally, specific button inputs allow for more powerful attacks. For players who might not have perfect timing, difficulty settings can be adjusted to widen or narrow the parry and dodge windows, ensuring an enjoyable experience for all skill levels.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 also offers extensive character customization. Each character features unique mechanics and skill trees, such as Lune's ability to accumulate and utilize "Stain" to boost her abilities. Players can evolve "Pictos," equipment modifiers, into "Luminas," permanent passive effects, after four battles. This system allows for hundreds of different builds, enabling players to tailor their characters to their preferred playstyle.

With its innovative reactive turn-based combat and deep character customization, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 promises to challenge players' strategic thinking and reflexes, offering a fresh and immersive gaming experience.