Expedition 33 Details Unveiled: Release, Combat, More

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 Fury: April 24, 2025

Inspired by Belle Epoque France, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 arrives on April 24, 2025. This announcement, made during the Xbox Developer Direct, confirms the game's launch alongside its availability on Xbox Game Pass from day one.

Pre-orders are open! Secure the base game for $44.99 or the Deluxe Edition for $59.99 on the Xbox Store. Steam and PS5 players enjoy a 10% discount, priced at $44.99 and $53.99 respectively. Note: the Steam discount ends May 2nd, 2025, while the PS5 discount (requiring PlayStation Plus subscription) lasts until the game's release at 3:00 PM (local time). The Epic Games Store currently only allows wishlisting.

Beyond the release date, Sandfall Interactive showcased new characters and gameplay mechanics.

Expedition 33's New Recruits: Monoco and Esquie

The team expands to seven playable characters plus a dedicated exploration character. Meet Monoco, a bloodthirsty yet friendly Gestral capable of transforming into defeated enemies, leveraging their powers in combat. Gestrals are uniquely immune to the Paintress's influence.

Esquie, an ancient and powerful being, takes a supporting role, granting access to various locations on the open-world map. Collecting his special stones unlocks new abilities and areas. The other playable characters – Gustave, Lune, Maelle, Sciel, Renoir, and Verso – were previously revealed on October 16, 2024.

Reactive Turn-Based Combat and Deep Character Customization

Sandfall Interactive isn't just focused on aesthetics; they've reinvented classic turn-based combat. CEO Guillaume Broche emphasizes the unique playstyles and diverse mechanics of each character, with customizable skill trees.

A real-time element is integrated, allowing players to parry and dodge attacks for increased damage. The "reactive turn-based system" challenges reflexes alongside strategy. Difficulty settings adjust the timing windows for parrying and dodging, catering to various skill levels.

Deep character customization is key. Unique mechanics and skill trees, such as Lune's "Stain" resource, provide strategic depth. "Pictos," equipment modifiers, evolve into permanent Luminas (passive effects) after four battles, offering numerous build options. Hundreds of build combinations are possible, ensuring a personalized gameplay experience.