Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Director Explains Title Meaning, Influences

In an interview on the Playstation Blog, Creative Director Guillaume Broche discussed the influences of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and the meaning of the game’s double-barreled title. There is no firm release date for it yet, but it is expected to release sometime in 2025.

Broche began by explaining the meaning behind the title Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. “Expedition 33” straightforwardly refers to the protagonists belonging to the 33rd expedition to destroy the Paintress, the game’s antagonist who can destroy generations of people by painting a number.

The first part is more interesting, referring to a French artistic movement that Broche said helped form the “overarching world of the game.” He went on to cite some of developer Sandfall Interactive’s favorite games. He noted the Tales of series, Persona, and Lost Odyssey influencing the game’s RPG elements, while the combat takes cues from Devil May Cry, NieR, and the Souls series.

In case you missed it, here’s the reveal trailer that offered a first look at the title’s gameplay:

We got to see the title for the first time at the 2024 Xbox Games Showcase, with the announcement being accompanied by a trailer and a 2025 release window.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will release sometime in 2025 for the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC.