Sandfall Interactive's Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 gets a detailed unveiling, revealing release date, character roster, and innovative combat mechanics during Xbox's Developer Direct. Here's a comprehensive overview of this upcoming title.
April 2025 Launch Date Confirmed
Set in a Belle Epoque France-inspired fantasy world, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 launches April 24th, 2025. The announcement, part of Xbox's Developer Direct, showcased the game's innovative take on classic turn-based combat. It will be available on Xbox Game Pass on launch day.
Pre-orders are open: $44.99 (standard) and $59.99 (Deluxe Edition) on the Xbox Store. Steam and PS5 offer a 10% discount ($44.99 and $53.99 respectively), though the PS5 discount requires a PlayStation Plus subscription and ends at 3:00 PM (local time) on release day. The Steam discount ends May 2nd, 2025. The game is currently wishlisted only on the Epic Games Store.
Meet Monoco and Esquie: New Expedition Members
The full playable roster is now complete, featuring seven playable characters and one dedicated to exploration. Joining the expedition are Monoco, a Gestral (a combat-loving being capable of transforming into defeated foes), and Esquie, an ancient, powerful being who unlocks new areas and abilities through the collection of special stones. The other playable characters (Gustave, Lune, Maelle, Sciel, Renoir, and Verso) were previously revealed.
Reactive Turn-Based Combat and Deep Customization
Sandfall Interactive aims for a deep, engaging experience beyond just visuals. Their "reactive turn-based system" blends real-time elements into the turn-based combat, allowing players to parry and dodge for increased damage or defensive maneuvers. Difficulty settings adjust the timing window for these actions.
Extensive character customization is a core feature. Each character boasts unique mechanics and skill trees. For instance, Lune uses accumulated "Stain" to power her abilities. "Pictos," equipment modifiers, evolve into permanent Luminas (passive effects) after four battles, offering numerous build possibilities.
This combination of reactive combat and deep character customization promises hundreds of build options, catering to various playstyles and challenging players strategically and reflexively.
