Kepler Interactive and Sandfall Interactive have unveiled an early look at their upcoming turn-based RPG, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Here’s an overview of the game along with details from a recently released gameplay trailer:
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 invites players to lead the members of Expedition 33 on a mission to defeat the Paintress, whose yearly ritual of painting a cursed number on her monolith causes people of that age to vanish. This unique blend of turn-based and real-time mechanics is set in a fantasy world inspired by Belle Époque France.
The narrative centers on the Paintress, who erases people year by year with her cursed artwork. With only one year left before she targets those aged 33, the members of Expedition 33 set out on a final mission to end her cycle of death.
The game promises innovative turn-based combat with real-time elements, allowing players to craft unique builds for their characters using gear, stats, skills, and synergies. During battles, players can engage in real-time actions such as dodging, parrying, and countering, and can execute combos and target enemy weak points using a free aim system.
Players will accompany Gustave, Maelle, and their fellow Expeditioners as they embark on their urgent quest against the Paintress. Along the way, they will uncover the fates of previous expeditions and build camaraderie among the team members while tackling formidable challenges.
The game’s world is richly detailed and surreal, featuring awe-inspiring landscapes and mysterious adversaries. Players can explore various locations, from the Island of Visages to the Forgotten Battlefield, and uncover secrets and hidden quests. Allies of fortune, legendary creatures, and special companions can be recruited, providing new methods of travel and access to secret areas on the World Map.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is Sandfall Interactive’s first game, developed with Unreal Engine 5 to deliver stunning visuals and an emotive soundtrack. The game is scheduled for release in 2025 on PC (via Steam and the Epic Games Store), Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and Xbox Game Pass.
