Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, developed by Sandfall Interactive, is a new RPG that draws heavily from classic JRPGs, particularly the Final Fantasy series. The game's producer, François Meurisse, discussed the strong influence of Final Fantasy VII, VIII, IX, and X during an interview with GamesRadar+ at the Game Developers Conference.
"Final Fantasy X and the earlier ones on PlayStation, like VII, VIII, and IX, were some of the biggest inspirations for Expedition 33"
These titles played a significant role in shaping the gameplay of Expedition 33, which embraces a traditional turn-based system that harkens back to the golden era of JRPGs.
"Definitely Final Fantasy and JRPGs are the preeminent gameplay heritage we have"
However, the game doesn’t solely rely on its JRPG heritage. The development team also incorporated elements from Sekiro and skill-based combat systems. The defense mechanics, for instance, are influenced by Sekiro, blending rhythm-based mechanics with real-time action, offering a more skill-demanding and engaging battle system.
Meurisse further elaborated on the vision of game director Guillaume Broche, stating
"Guillaume wanted to have kind of feeling that he imagined would have remained in modern Final Fantasy-like games, if they had kept doing turn-based stuff."
This blending of classic and modern influences creates a unique gameplay experience.
While the combat draws from established titles, the game’s visual style sets itself apart.
"From the very beginning, we wanted to make our own game with our own art inspiration."
Moving away from the familiar anime-like graphics, Expedition 33 incorporates an art direction based on early 20th-century Belle Époque with art deco elements, aiming for a distinctive, high fantasy visual identity.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is shaping up to be a unique take on the classic JRPG formula, blending nostalgia with modern gameplay innovations. Fans of Final Fantasy and other JRPGs will likely find much to appreciate in its gameplay and style.
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