Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is inspired by FromSoftware level design
The developers behind the upcoming RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, shared their FromSoftware inspiration. It's not the combat, it's the level design.
The release date for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a highly anticipated indie JRPG-inspired game, is just a month away. Thanks to an interview Eurogamer had with a producer from Sandfall Entertainment as well as the COO Francois Meurisse, we have a few more details about what to expect. Not the smallest of which is that the game will not feature a mini map. The producer told Eurogamer this is because “[they] want players to discover the world as the expedition does…”
Gameplay details emerge about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 in interview with producer
Within the context of this RPG’s story, the lack of a mini map makes sense. Meurisse continued, saying: “They don’t have a map because the previous expedition failed. So yes, it can be difficult to find their way.” In Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the character’s goal is to defeat the mysterious Paintress, who paints a new number every year, and everyone older than that number vanishes. None of the previous expeditions have returned, so it would be strange for the characters to have a map of this unknown region.
On the other hand, the last thing you want is players to get confused, lost, and frustrated while playing your game. The developers say they have added a compass, but hopefully that will be enough for players who are interested in spending time in this world. On the bright side, since this is a smaller team of only about 30 total developers, this game won’t take a hundred hours to complete. In theory, that should make it easier to remember what’s happening and leave less time for players to get lost.
In the interview with Eurogamer, Meurisse explained that the game is a mix of linear and semi-open levels, with side quests as well. Their intent is to tell a more focused story than something completely open world. Meurisse even mentioned taking some influence from FromSoftware level designs like Dark Souls and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. It’s exciting to see appreciation for that studio’s focused, but still explorable, level design rather than what everyone usually goes straight to: the combat. Apparently, the Game’s Director, Guillaume Broche, was a Sekiro speedrunner.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 continues to set itself up for success. The lack of a mini map could be troublesome, but based on everything else, it seems like they know what they are getting themselves into. Equally exciting, is that the release for this unique, inspired RPG, is just one month away. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is planned to release on April 24th, 2025 for PC, PlayStation5, and Xbox Series X/S.
