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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - 2025's Most Anticipated RPG

Last Updated: November 8, 2025

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 key art featuring the main characters.

Developer Sandfall Interactive, in partnership with publisher Kepler Interactive, is set to redefine the turn-based RPG landscape with its breathtaking debut title, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Revealed with a stunning trailer that captured the gaming world's attention, this Unreal Engine 5-powered epic is poised to be a landmark release in 2025 for PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X|S, where it will also launch day one on Xbox Game Pass. Blending a unique Belle Époque-inspired fantasy aesthetic with innovative combat, Expedition 33 is already one of the most talked-about games on the horizon.

A World Under the Paintress's Shadow

The narrative premise of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is as beautiful as it is terrifying. Once a year, the mysterious Paintress awakens to paint a cursed number upon her monolith. All who are of that age instantly turn to smoke and fade from existence. This grim cycle has continued for generations, with the city of Lumiere and its people living in constant fear of which age will be next.

Year after year, they watch their loved ones vanish. Now, the Paintress is set to paint her most dreadful number yet: "33". In a final, desperate act of rebellion, a group known as Expedition 33 embarks on a seemingly impossible quest: to destroy the Paintress before she can paint her next number and end her reign of death once and for all. Players will join Gustave and his fellow expeditionaries on this perilous journey, exploring a world rich with surreal enemies, fantastical architecture, and the lingering remnants of those who were lost.

Redefining Turn-Based Combat

While deeply inspired by classic JRPGs like Final Fantasy and the Persona series, Sandfall Interactive is pushing the genre forward with a dynamic combat system. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 features a turn-based foundation infused with real-time mechanics that demand active participation.

Players won't just be selecting commands from a menu. The system includes features that reward skill and timing:

  • Active Inputs: Players can hold down a button to charge attacks for more power, aim at specific enemy weak points to stagger them, or time a button press to parry incoming attacks, drastically reducing damage.
  • Real-Time Dodging: Certain enemy abilities will trigger a real-time dodge prompt, allowing agile players to evade massive area-of-effect attacks entirely.
  • Free-Aim Spells: Unleash powerful abilities that can be freely aimed to hit multiple foes, adding a layer of tactical positioning and crowd control.

This hybrid approach ensures that battles are consistently engaging, combining the strategic depth of turn-based planning with the heart-pounding action of real-time execution.

A Breathtaking Journey Awaits in 2025

As a new IP from a fledgling French studio, the ambition on display in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is immense. The game's use of Unreal Engine 5 brings its Belle Époque-inspired world to life with stunning fidelity, from whimsical cityscapes to twisted, otherworldly battlegrounds. The character designs are distinct, and the enemies are wonderfully imaginative and often unsettling.

The announcement that it will be available day one on Xbox Game Pass is a massive boon, ensuring this ambitious RPG will reach a wide audience from the moment of its release. This move signals a strong vote of confidence from Microsoft and positions Expedition 33 as one of the service's flagship titles for 2025.

For players on all platforms, the journey of Expedition 33 promises a powerful narrative, a deep and rewarding combat system, and a world unlike any other. It stands as a testament to the power of new ideas in the RPG space and is shaping up to be an essential, unforgettable adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?

A: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a new turn-based RPG from developer Sandfall Interactive. It features a unique story about an expedition to stop a deadly "Paintress" and a hybrid combat system that blends turn-based strategy with real-time actions like parrying and dodging.

Q: When will Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 be released?

A: A specific release date has not yet been announced, but the game is confirmed to be launching in 2025.

Q: What platforms will Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 be available on?

A: The game is scheduled for release on PlayStation 5, Windows PC (via Steam), and Xbox Series X|S.

Q: Will Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 be on Game Pass?

A: Yes, it has been confirmed that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will be available on Xbox Game Pass on the first day of its release.

Q: Who is the developer of the game?

A: The game is being developed by Sandfall Interactive, a new game development studio based in France.