A Refreshing Take on a Classic Genre: Expedition 33, we saw the first gameplay images!”>Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Teh turn-based RPG genre enjoyed immense popularity in the 1990s, captivating players with its strategic combat and compelling narratives.As gaming evolved, the genre seemed to fade from the spotlight.However, a new contender emerges, promising to breathe fresh life into this iconic format: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Developed by Sandfall Interactive and spearheaded by CEO Guillaume Broche, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a love letter to classic RPGs but with a distinct modern twist. Broche, a former Ubisoft employee, expressed a desire to revive the grounded, realistic take on turn-based combat that exemplified titles like Final Fantasy. Drawing inspiration from 2007’s Lost Odyssey, considered by Broche to be the last high-budget title of its kind, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 aims to push the genre forward. set in a beautifully rendered world inspired byフランス’s belle époque and surrealist art,Clair Obscur: expedition 33 transports players to a stunningly realized environment. From dreamlike underwater kingdoms reminiscent of The Little Mermaid to opulent gothic mansions, every location is teeming with visual detail. What truly sets Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 apart is its innovative combat system. “I’m a bit burned out on turn-based RPGs, because I’ve just played far too many,” Broche admits. “So for players like me, we wanted to make sure the turn-based battles feel more interactive and different, requiring skill and offering something fresh.”
## A Refreshed Take on Tradition: An Interview with Guillaume Broche of Sandfall Interactive
Today, we sit down with guillaume Broche, CEO of Sandfall Interactive and visionary behind the highly anticipated RPG ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.’ Broche, a veteran of the gaming industry with a background at Ubisoft, is on a mission to revitalize the turn-based RPG genre while honoring its roots.
**Archyde:** ’Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ has been generating significant buzz. What inspired you to develop a turn-based RPG in an era dominated by action-packed titles?
**Guillaume Broche:** I grew up playing classic turn-based RPGs like Final fantasy, and I believe there’s a timeless appeal to strategic combat and deeply engaging narratives within that genre. While gaming has evolved, I felt there was a void left by the decline of high-budget, realistic turn-based RPGs.
Games like Lost Odyssey in 2007 were a testament to the genre’s potential, but they’ve become few and far between. we see ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ as a way to tap back into that magic, while bringing fresh ideas and modern sensibilities to the table. [[1](https://blog.playstation.com/2024/08/28/new-clair-obscur-expedition-33-gameplay-fighting-and-exploring-the-flying-waters-region/)]
**Archyde:** What can players expect from ‘clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ in terms of gameplay and world design?
**Broche:** We’ve crafted a world inspired by the elegance of France’s Belle Époque and the dreamlike aesthetics of Surrealist art. Players can explore stunning environments ranging from ethereal underwater kingdoms to opulent, ancient cities.
Combat is strategic, with a focus on grounded, realistic mechanics reminiscent of classic RPGs. We want players to carefully consider their moves, leveraging their team’s strengths and exploiting enemy weaknesses. [[1](https://blog.playstation.com/2024/08/28/new-clair-obscur-expedition-33-gameplay-fighting-and-exploring-the-flying-waters-region/)]
**archyde:** The game’s setting sounds incredible. Can you elaborate on the story behind ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’?
**Broche:** While I can’t reveal too many details just yet, I can say that the narrative explores themes of exploration, discovery, and the remnants of a lost expedition.
Players will journey to the Flying Waters, a region shrouded in mystery, and uncover the secrets of a past expedition that vanished under enigmatic circumstances.
**Archyde:** What are your hopes for ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33,’ and how do you envision it impacting the RPG genre?
**Broche:** My main hope is that players rediscover the joy and strategic depth of turn-based RPGs.
We want to demonstrate that this genre is far from outdated, and that there’s still immense potential for innovation and captivating storytelling within this format.
If ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ can inspire a new generation of developers and players to embrace turn-based RPGs, then we’ll have achieved something truly special.
## A Refreshed Take on Tradition: An Interview with Guillaume Broche of Sandfall Interactive
**[Image of Guillaume Broche]**
Today,we sit down with Guillaume Broche,CEO of Sandfall Interactive and visionary behind the highly anticipated RPG,’Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.’ Broche, a veteran of the gaming industry with a background at Ubisoft, is on a mission to revitalize the turn-based RPG genre while honoring its roots.
**Archyde:** Thank you for joining us, Guillaume. *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33* is generating a lot of excitement, especially amongst fans of classic turn-based RPGs. Can you tell us a bit about what inspired you to create this game and what sets it apart?
**Guillaume Broche:** Absolutely! As a lifelong fan of RPGs, I was a bit disheartened to see the genre stagnate in recent years.I feel like many games were relying to heavily on nostalgia, not pushing the boundaries like they used to.
We wanted to recapture that classic essence, that deep storytelling and strategic combat, but infuse it with fresh ideas. *Lost Odyssey* from 2007 was a huge inspiration for us. It was a masterclass in grounded storytelling and challenging turn-based combat, and we believe *Clair Obscur* carries that torch forward.
**Archyde:** The visuals in *Clair Obscur* are stunning, reminiscent of a beautiful dream.What inspired this unique art style?
**Broche:** We were heavily influenced by the Belle Epoque era and Surrealist art. We wanted the world to feel intriguing, a little melancholic and full of mystery, inviting players to explore every nook and cranny.
From the opulent gothic mansions to the dreamlike underwater kingdoms, every location is meticulously crafted with a richness of detail.
**Archyde:** Speaking of detail, let’s delve into the combat system. it truly seems like you’ve put a lot of thought into making it more interactive and dynamic.
**Broche:** Absolutely! We knew that simply replicating conventional turn-based mechanics wouldn’t cut it.We wanted players to feel engaged, not just passively watching numbers crunch. That’s why we’ve incorporated real-time elements into the combat, like precise timing for attacks and dodges, and the ability to jump and reposition your characters.
Successfully executing these maneuvers not only avoids damage but can also recover HP and enable powerful counterattacks.
**archyde:** That’s quite a unique twist! Can you tell us more about the story behind *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33*?
**Broche:** The game centers around a harrowing mystery. Each year, a cursed painter marks a distant tower with a new number, and every person of that age in the world mysteriously vanishes, turning into ash.
You play as a member of an expedition crew, persistent to break this horrifying cycle and confront the painter, even if it means facing the shadows of past expeditions along the way.
**Archyde:** Sounds haunting and intense.
**Broche:** We are embracing a darker tone then traditional JRPGs like *Sea of stars* or *Octopath Traveler*. Think *Lost Odyssey* meets a bit of Edgar Allan Poe.The writing, character growth, and overall atmosphere aim to create an experience that is both immersive and thought-provoking.
**Archyde:** *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33* sounds like an incredible blend of classic RPG elements with fresh innovation. What are your hopes for the game and its impact on the genre?
**Broche:** we want to remind players why they fell in love with turn-based RPGs in the first place while showing that the genre is far from outdated. we hope *Clair Obscur* sparks a resurgence of interest in innovative, story-driven RPG experiences.
**Archyde:**
We certainly wish you the best of luck,Guillaume! *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33* is shaping up to be a truly remarkable game.
**[Closing remarks and call to action]**
