via Polygon
Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Director Comments on Sandfall's Next Game
The Final Fantasy inspired indie RPG from Sandfall Interactive was a surprise smash hit — so what's next for Clair Obscur?
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Released Apr 24, 2025
Rating 90/100
Playtime ~26h
Developers Sundial Interactive, Sandfall Interactive
Publisher Kepler Interactive
Where to play
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a turn-based RPG that launched in April 2025 across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. The game has continued to generate discussion and accolades well after its release, winning multiple awards at the Develop:Star Awards 2026 including Best Game overall.
Since launch, the community has been diving into the game's systems and collectibles, with data from over 4,000 completionists revealing some items remain extremely rare finds. Developer Sandfall Interactive has stood by one of the RPG's core systems despite early skepticism, with the team pushing back on doubts about its appeal. Beyond the base game, momentum continues through a special collectible planned for 2027 and ongoing interest in a potential Switch 2 port, which the studio has expressed openness toward. Looking ahead, Sandfall has signaled a desire to take more creative risks with its next project.
Trailers
Coverage (41)
via Polygon
via AllKeyShop
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Returns to a World Tour in 2027 – 24 New Concerts Announced
The acclaim surrounding Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has long surpassed the boundaries of the game itself. In particular, the original soundtrack composed by Lorien Testard stands out as one of its most celebrated elements. Earlier in 2026, an orchestral performance dedicated to t…
via Polygon
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 A Painted Symphony Announces 2027 International Tour Across Europe and United States
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is taking its soundtrack back on tour in 2027 with new dates for A Painted Symphony. The international tour will include performances across France, other parts of Europe, and the United States alongside new scenography. Tickets for the newly announced…
via GamesRadar+
After Clair Obscur Expedition 33, president of France announces international festival of video games: "Video games are part of our culture"
The location and other details haven't been ironed out yet
via GamesRadar+
Pokemon with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's combat sounds like a bonkers idea, but one fan's now given us a taste test
Legends ZA has the French influence, at least
via GamesRadar+
New Tides of Annihilation lead "deeply honored" to take over from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Jennifer English, who was "generous, kind, and supportive throughout this whole journey"
"Gwen is the kind of character that I really love"
via GamesRadar+
via GameRant
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Just Made an RPG Cardinal Sin Look Silly
There's a lot to love about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, including a pretty central aspect that at least one industry leader was skeptical about.
via GamesRadar+
Former PlayStation boss says it's "really funny" turn-based JRPGs are so in-demand after he advised Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 devs not to use the term
"A lot of developers are now pitching new turn-based JRPG-like games to publishers"
via GamesRadar+
via GamesRadar+
Tides of Annihilation seemingly casts Resident Evil Requiem's Grace actor as its new lead after Baldur's Gate 3 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 star Jennifer English left the role
English is still working in an advisory role on the game
via Eurogamer
The "untranslatable" book that inspired Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been translated, and you can buy it later this year
The first ever English translation of Alain Damasio’s Horde of the Counterwind (or, to give the book its original name La Horde du Contrevent) is going on sale later this year. The novel, a cult classic that is cited as one of the driving inspirations behind the acclaimed and bes…
The Writers and Painters war was always part of the plan in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, according to Jennifer Svedberg-Yen
Spoilers are abound for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 if you've not yet played it. Want to get out now while you can? Towards the end of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, it's revealed that the world you're living in, the one you're fighting to defend, has been created. Not by a god, no…
via GamesRadar+
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Clea actor finds it "fascinating" that RPG fans give her character "more grace" than Baldur's Gate 3's Lae'zel
"With Laezel, people were like 'no, she's just mean, she's just bad'"
via GamesRadar+
via IGN
Today’s Best Deals: AirPods Pro 3, MTG x Marvel Booster Box, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for PC
Plus, save on LEGO, a JBL portable speaker, and more.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 developers says "it's good to have limitations"
It's easy to forget that it's only been a year since {Clair Obscur: Expedition 33} took the world by storm and won practically every award there is to win. Ever since then, many have been fascinated by the fact that such a small team was able to achieve so much with fairly limite…
via GamesRadar+
via GamesRadar+
Clair Obscur Expedition 33's studio is a manor that looks just like the one in the RPG, but it was a pure coincidence: "It shouldn't feel like coming to an office"
"It should feel like entering a house where you're just making games with friends"
via GamesRadar+
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 took inspiration from Attack on Titan and Bleach's instantly recognizable characters: "It's an absolute masterpiece for me"
"When you see any character from Attack on Titan, you instantly know they're an Attack on Titan character," director Guillaume Broche says
via GamesRadar+
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lead says you "can't compare" turn-based and action games, and he loves both "as long as the game is good"
It's an apple and oranges situation for Guillaume Broche
via Dualshockers
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Devs React to PlayStation Ending Physical Discs: “It's a Shame”
Sandfall Interactive developers react to PlayStation phasing out physical media by 2028
Unreal Engine and technical limitations could prevent Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from coming to Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 is a much more powerful console than its predecessor, allowing for ports of third-party titles that would have never been able to run on the original Switch. We've already seen great ports like Cyberpunk 2077 make it to the console, but there are still some…
via GamesRadar+
After Clair Obscur Expedition 33, Sandfall Interactive is "going to go a bit crazy" with its next game: "We want to let ourselves dream again and be creative"
"Expedition 33 was quite a long project too"
Show all 41 stories ↓Show fewer ↑
via GamesRadar+
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 director prefers JPRGs to the likes of Skyrim, Fallout, and Baldur's Gate because their linear narratives allow for "a stronger story" and "more memorable characters"
But "Western RPGs let you make your own story," says Guillaume Broche
via Nintendoeverything
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 devs talk about the challenges of a Nintendo Switch 2 port
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 may still end up on Nintendo Switch 2 at some point on the future, but it would be a “big technical challenge”. The RPG originally released on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X and S. Sandfall Interactive co-founder Tom Guillermin said in a recent interview t…
via RPGSite
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for Switch 2 is something Sandfall Interactive is interested in doing, but too early to announce anything
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 being on Unreal Engine 5 introduces challenges for Switch 2 since a lot of features don't work according to Sandfall Interactive.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Developers Discuss JRPG Inspirations, Physical Games, Switch 2 Possibility, and Staying Small
During a postmortem event hosted by Epic Games Japan in Yokohama, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 developer Sandfall Interactive reflected on the game’s inspirations, development philosophy, and plans for the future. In interviews with AUTOMATON, Creative Director and CEO Guillaume B…
via GamesRadar+
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leads call PlayStation killing discs a "sad decision" after buying boxed copies of their own RPG – "For us, physical was something special"
Discs may be more expensive to make, but they're valuable parts of the culture
via Automaton-Media
“It’s a sad decision.” Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 developers on the end of physical disc production and why they pushed for a physical release despite the drawbacks
Interview with Sandfall Interactive's core members about what physical games mean to them.
via Automaton-Media
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 director says eliminating limitations in development is a “big mistake.” We talk to Sandfall Interactive about staying small, Japanese influences, and what’s next
Interview with Sandfall Interactive at the Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 postmortem in Yokohama, Japan.
via Dualshockers
The Combat in These 8 Open-World Games Games Puts Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's to Shame
There's little wrong with Clair Obscur's combat, but these titles give it a run for its money.
via GamesRadar+
We need games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Balatro, and Peak as a cure for the "fear" in the industry, say experts
"Courage is a consistent factor of most hit titles," says Rami Ismail
via IGN
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on PS5 Is a Couple Dollars Less Than Its Prime Day Price Right Now at Amazon
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on PS5 has dropped to a new low price of $37.49 at Amazon with the help of a coupon, but this offer only lasts until July 27.
via GamesRadar+
Baldur's Gate 3 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Jennifer English pulls out of fantasy RPG Tides of Annihilation: "Recently, I've found myself needing to slow down"
The actor is staying on as an advisor moving forward
via GameRant
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on Switch 2 Would Be a Match Made in Heaven
The rumored Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Switch 2 port could be a smash hit for the system, for all kinds of reasons.
'Clair Obscur: Expedition 33' Arm of Gustave: Special Collectible Is Releasing in 2027
Clair Obscur is releasing a special collectible, called the Arm of Gustave, will be released next year for fans of Expedition 33
via Gamesindustry
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 wins Best Game at Develop:Star Awards 2026
The Develop:Star Awards 2026 were held last night, where Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 continued its success by winning three awards.
via GamesRadar+
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 devs were told that "no one" would like one of the RPG's best systems before it launched, lead says: "We didn't care"
But the devs knew their idea was "cool," Guillaume Broche says
via GameRant
Ben Starr Talks About Everything Except Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sort Of)
This week on Pause for Thought, the one and only Ben Starr joins the show for our first ever in-person interview session! He talks all about his gripes with LAX, sexy clown calendars, why chapter select is an absolute must as well as one of his smaller roles in a franchise you ma…
via GamesRadar+
The rarest items in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 include an extremely French weapon that only 6% of players found, data from over 4,000 completionists show
People aren't collecting all their haircuts, for shame!