Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Reveals Release Date, Combat Mechanics and More

Sandfall Interactive recently unveiled key details about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 during Xbox's Developer Direct, including its release date, character roster, and innovative combat system. Let's dive into the exciting news!

April 2025 Launch Date Confirmed

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, set in a Belle Epoque France-inspired fantasy world, will launch on April 24, 2025. The announcement, made during the Xbox Developer Direct, confirmed its day-one availability on Xbox Game Pass.

Pre-orders are open! Grab the base game for $44.99 or the Deluxe Edition for $59.99 on the Xbox Store. Steam and PS5 players enjoy a 10% discount (until May 2nd for Steam, and until release day at 3 PM local time for PS5, requiring a PlayStation Plus subscription). The Epic Games Store listing is currently limited to wishlisting.

Meet Monoco and Esquie: New Expedition Members

The full cast of seven playable characters (plus one dedicated to exploration) has been revealed. Joining the previously announced Gustave, Lune, Maelle, Sciel, Renoir, and Verso are:

• Monoco: A "friendly and bloodthirsty Gestral," Monoco can transform into defeated enemies, leveraging their powers in combat. Intriguingly, Gestrals are immune to the Paintress's influence.

• Esquie: A living legend, the oldest and strongest being in the world. Esquie's role focuses on exploration, unlocking new areas and abilities by collecting special stones.

Reimagined Turn-Based Combat and Deep Character Customization

Sandfall Interactive has reinvented classic turn-based combat, adding a real-time reactive element. Players can dodge and parry attacks for enhanced damage, creating a dynamic and engaging experience. The difficulty can be adjusted to modify the timing windows for these actions.

The game features extensive character customization. Each character possesses unique mechanics and skill trees. For instance, Lune accumulates "Stain" to power her abilities. "Pictos," equipment modifiers, evolve into permanent Luminas (passive effects) after four battles, offering countless build possibilities.

With its blend of strategic turn-based combat, reactive elements, and deep character customization, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 promises a fresh and engaging RPG experience.