Sandfall Interactive recently unveiled crucial details about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 during Xbox's Developer Direct, including the release date, character roster, and innovative combat system. Let's delve into the exciting news!
Confront the Paintress's Madness: April 24, 2025
Set in a Belle Epoque France-inspired fantasy world, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 launches on April 24, 2025. This announcement, made during the Xbox Developer Direct, confirmed the game's arrival on Xbox Game Pass day one.
Pre-orders are available: $44.99 for the standard edition and $59.99 for the Deluxe Edition on the Xbox Store. Steam and PS5 offer a 10% discount ($44.99 and $53.99 respectively), but the PS5 discount requires a PlayStation Plus subscription and is valid until release day (3:00 PM local time). The Steam discount ends May 2, 2025. An Epic Games Store listing is available for wishlisting.
Beyond the release date, Sandfall Interactive showcased new characters and gameplay mechanics.
New Expedition Members: Monoco and Esquie
The roster expands to seven playable characters and one dedicated to exploration. Monoco, a "friendly and bloodthirsty Gestral," can transform into defeated enemies, leveraging their powers in combat. Gestrals are uniquely immune to the Paintress's influence.
Esquie, an ancient and powerful being, acts as a guide, unlocking new areas and abilities through the collection of special stones. Previously revealed characters (Gustave, Lune, Maelle, Sciel, Renoir, and Verso) were showcased in a YouTube video on October 16, 2024.
Innovative Turn-Based Combat and Deep Customization
Sandfall Interactive aims for more than visual appeal, reinventing classic turn-based combat. A real-time element allows for parrying and dodging, adding a reactive layer. Difficulty settings adjust the timing windows for these actions.
Deep character customization is key, with unique mechanics and skill trees for each character. Lune, for example, utilizes "Stain" to enhance abilities. "Pictos," equipment modifiers, evolve into permanent Luminas (passive effects) after four battles, offering extensive build variety.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 promises a compelling blend of strategic depth and reactive combat, offering players hundreds of build options to tailor their gameplay experience.
