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 delve into the exciting news!

Confront the Paintress's Fury: April 24, 2025

Set in a Belle Epoque France-inspired fantasy world, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will launch on April 24, 2025. This announcement, made during the Xbox Developer Direct, confirmed the game's arrival on Xbox Game Pass on day one.

Pre-orders are now open! Secure your copy on the Xbox Store ($44.99 standard, $59.99 Deluxe) or take advantage of a 10% discount on Steam and PS5 ($44.99 and $53.99 respectively). Note: the PS5 discount requires a PlayStation Plus subscription and is valid until release day (3:00 PM local time). Steam's discount ends May 2, 2025. The game is currently wishlisted only on the Epic Games Store.

Meet Monoco and Esquie: New Faces Join the Expedition

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

• Monoco: A Gestral, a bloodthirsty yet friendly being who can transform into defeated enemies, leveraging their powers in combat. Gestrals are uniquely immune to the Paintress's influence.
• Esquie: A legendary, powerful being who, rather than fighting, grants access to various locations on the open-world map. Collecting his special stones unlocks new abilities and areas.

The other playable characters were previously showcased in a YouTube video on October 16, 2024. United by their shared goal of ending a cycle of death, they embark on this perilous journey despite their diverse personalities and motivations.

Reactive Turn-Based Combat and Deep Character Customization

Sandfall Interactive has reinvented classic turn-based combat, adding a real-time reactive element. Players can parry and dodge attacks, timing their actions to inflict greater damage. This "reactive turn-based system" can be adjusted in difficulty settings to suit varying skill levels.

Extensive character customization is a core feature. Each character boasts unique mechanics and skill trees (like Lune's "Stain" resource). "Pictos," equipment modifiers, evolve into permanent "Luminas" after four battles, further enhancing character builds. This system promises hundreds of build variations, catering to diverse playstyles.