Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 FAQ – Story, Gameplay, Xbox Game Pass, everything you need to know
Here’s all the information you need to know on the upcoming RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from its stylish turn-based combat system, grand fantasy setting and characters, and more.
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-What is it?-Gameplay-Platforms-Xbox Game Pass-Release date
On June 9, 2024, during theSummer Xbox Showcase 2024 event, a newcomer game developer calledSandfall Interactive unveiled their debut title to the world Showcase called Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. This RPG has captured the attention of many gamers around the world for its surreal setting, cast of intriguing characters, and over-the-top turn-based combat system inspired by modern JRPG classics.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has also garnered much of our interest here at Windows Central, to the point where it became one of ourfavorite upcoming Xbox Games shown at Gamescom 2024.
So we have taken it upon ourselves to gather as much information as possible and keep you up to date on all the latest news regarding its gameplay mechanics, its story details, what platforms it will launch on, its release date, and more.
Here’s everything you need to know on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Traverse through a mystical, dark world and stop the mysterious ‘Paintress’ from coloring the world in a never-ending cycle of death in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Meet a cast of intriguing characters, explore a world rife with magic, and battle foes in epic turn-based battles that reward quick reactions and strategic planning.
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What is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?
What is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an RPG that follows the adventures of Expedition 33, a group of heroes traveling the world to save their people from being killed off by an otherworldly, godlike being known as the ‘Paintress’.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33is a role-playing game set in a magical, fantasy world inspired by the architecture and artistry of Belle Époque-era France. This once-peaceful world is suffering from the wrath of an enigmatic, godlike being known as the ‘Paintress’. Once per year, the Paintress paints a number on a giant monolith, and every person whose age matches that number instantly turns to dust and dies.
Time is running out for humanity as every year the Paintress keeps killing off more people the higher number she paints. To combat this, a group of heroes gifted with martial arts and magic called the Expeditioners set off on a mission to travel the world and destroy the Paintress she can never paint the world in death ever again.
You play as the 33rdunit of this group, designated as Expedition 33, and it is your job to protect and guide this team on their journey to destroy the Paintress and save humanity from being erased from existence.
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What is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s gameplay like?
What is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s gameplay?
Clair Expedition 33’s gameplay structure follows that of turn-based JRPGs where you will explore massive locales, interact with various characters, and engage enemies in turn-based combat that features real-time, timing-based mechanics that will allow you to dodge and parry incomings, and deal extra damage when fighting back.
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From what has been shown of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 so far, it appears that this game seems to draw inspiration from severalJRPGclassics such as Atlus’Personaseries, Square Enix’sFinal Fantasyseries, and even elements from Super Mario RPG and Monolith Soft’s Xenoblade Chronicles series.
In this game, you will control each member of Expedition 33 and explore fantastical locales rich with beautiful yet treacherous vistas created by this world’s magic and battle gigantic foes in turn-based battles.
The turn-based combat system looks like your standard JRPG-affair at first, where your party and enemy monsters take turns smiting each other with weapons and magic. However, this game will feature unique real-time, reactive-based mini-games and mechanics to spice up the combat. For example, when you perform attacks, you must press corresponding buttons on-screen at the right time to deal extra damage to enemies and give your team passive power-ups.
However, if you mistime the button inputs, you will deal less damage or even miss your target. There are also some reaction-based mechanics in thisupcoming PC gamethat will allow you to block, parry, and dodge out of the way of incoming enemy attacks to mitigate or negate lethal damage.
On your journey, you will meet up with more members of Expedition 33 who will join your party and encounter some mysterious individuals who may help or hinder your progress (Some of which arevoiced by high-profile voice actors).
The characters you will meet on your journey who have been officially revealed so far include:
What platforms will Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 launch on?
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will launch onXbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC viaSteamand Epic Games Store.
Is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 coming to Xbox Game Pass?
Yes, thisupcoming Xbox titlewill joinXbox’s massive library of Xbox Game Pass gameson the same day Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 launches.
When will Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 be released?
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 currently has the tentative release date of Spring 2025.
Alexander Cope is a gaming veteran of 30-plus years, primarily covering PC and Xbox games here on Windows Central. Gaming since the 8-bit era, Alexander’s expertise revolves around gaming guides and news, with a particular focus on Japanese titles from the likes of Elden Ring to Final Fantasy. Alexander is always on deck to help our readers conquer the industry’s most difficult games — when he can pry himself away from Monster Hunter that is!
