Sandfall Interactive has been turning heads since it announced its debut game at Summer Game Fest, promising bold aesthetics and even bolder moves in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. This turn-based RPG is inspired by the likes of Final Fantasy and Persona, while incorporating high-fidelity graphics with dynamic real-time elements, adding a layer of fluidity to keep you on your toes – parrying included, thanks to a flash of inspiration from Sekiro. "While we deeply respect these influences, we also wanted to stand on our feet and build something that feels truly special and unique, with its own style," explains Guillaume Broche, creative director, talking about the Square Enix and Atlus series, who hopes that Clair Obscur's "unique flavour and personality" shines through.
In Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, you'll be going up against the Paintress. Each year she paints a new number and anyone of that age – or reaches it within the year – will dissolve into nothingness. Think Thanos levels of dramatic evanescence. Cue the formation of Expedition 33, as they race against time to break the cycle and take down the anti-Bob Ross. Set in a pastiche of the French Belle Époque era, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 twists this setting into a beautiful but deadly world in painterly, surrealist strokes. With a stellar English cast lined-up, featuring Charlie Cox (Daredevil), Ben Starr (Clive, Final Fantasy 16), Jennifer English (Shadowheart, Baldur's Gate 3), and Andy Serkis (Gollum, Lord of the Rings), it was equally important to deliver with its French cast. "It's a bleak world with super high stakes and the characters go on pretty intense emotional journeys," explains Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, lead writer. "We were fortunate to have a strong English and French voice cast who could bring all those layers to life."
