I had the opportunity to discuss the upcoming game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 with its producer François Meurisse at the 2025 Game Developers Conference. Throughout our conversation, he explained how the game is influenced by the history of Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) and the storytelling possibilities within these frameworks.

Meurisse shared that the game’s development stemmed from a passion project initiated by Sandfall’s founder and creative director, Guillaume Broche. Broche felt a keen desire for new turn-based RPGs when he began working on this project back in early 2019.

Quote: “He was kind of starving for new turn based RPG games when he started development…”

(He was kind of starving for new turn-based RPG games when he started development…)

Inspired by the success of Persona 5, Broche recognized a demand for the type of turn-based game he wished to create, paralleling the risks taken by developers like Larian with Divinity: Original Sin and New Blood as they sought to revive cherished genres from the past.

Meurisse highlighted that while Expedition 33 carries its own unique aesthetic and gameplay mechanics, it shares much with the legacy of JRPGs rather than seeking to revolutionize the genre. He articulated:

Quote: “I don’t know if we’re super innovative in our gameplay mechanics… But they’re just assembled in a unique and clever way.”

(I don’t know if we’re super innovative in our gameplay mechanics… but they’re just assembled in a unique and clever way.)

He also noted that Broche was heavily influenced by titles like Final Fantasy and FromSoftware games, and that their combined inspirations create a familiar yet fresh take on the genre.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set to launch on April 23 and players can wishlist it now on Steam.