Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Reveals Release Date, Combat Mechanics and More

Sandfall Interactive unveiled exciting 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 specifics!

April 2025: Confront the Paintress's Fury

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, set in a Belle Epoque France-inspired fantasy world, launches 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 open! Secure your copy on the Xbox Store ($44.99 standard, $59.99 Deluxe Edition) or take advantage of a 10% discount on Steam and PS5 ($44.99 and $53.99 respectively). Note: the Steam discount ends May 2nd, 2025, and the PS5 discount (valid until release at 3:00 PM local time) requires a PlayStation Plus subscription. The game is currently wishlisted on the Epic Games Store.

Meet the New Recruits: Monoco and Esquie

The expedition's roster expands to seven playable characters plus one dedicated to exploration. Joining the previously announced Gustave, Lune, Maelle, Sciel, Renoir, and Verso are:

• Monoco: A Gestral – a combat-loving being who can transform into defeated enemies, harnessing their powers. Gestrals are immune to the Paintress's influence.
• Esquie: A legendary, powerful being who forgoes direct combat, instead providing 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 a common goal – ending the cycle of death – this diverse team brings unique skills and personalities to the table.

Reactive Turn-Based Combat and Deep Character Customization

Sandfall Interactive has reinvented classic turn-based combat. As highlighted in an Xbox Wire article (January 23, 2025), the game features a reactive turn-based system, incorporating real-time elements. Players can dodge, parry for critical hits, and execute powerful attacks with precise button presses. Difficulty settings adjust the timing windows for parrying and dodging.

Extensive character customization is key. Each character boasts unique mechanics, skill trees (like Lune's "Stain" resource), and the ability to evolve "Pictos" (equipment modifiers) into permanent Luminas (passive effects) after four battles. This unlocks hundreds of build possibilities, catering to diverse playstyles.

Prepare for a visually stunning and strategically challenging RPG experience when Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 launches on April 24, 2025!