It’s undoubtedly the title I’m most looking forward to this year, and the announcement of its release date has finally arrived, along with some major updates regarding the collector’s edition.
Independent developer Sandfall Interactive and publisher Kepler Interactive unveiled exciting new details about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 during Xbox’s Developer Direct presentation. The highly anticipated turn-based RPG will launch on April 24, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S (available day one on Xbox Game Pass), and PC via Steam. Digital pre-orders are available starting today, along with an announcement trailer showcasing the game’s story and mechanics.
The presentation highlighted the game’s Belle Époque-inspired art direction, emotionally driven narrative, and innovative reactive turn-based combat. Key features include Monoco, a Gestral character capable of mimicking enemies, and Esquie, a massive creature that enhances exploration across the overworld map. Players will traverse diverse environments, engage in challenging battles, and discover secrets while mastering deep character-building systems. Campsites on the overworld allow players to upgrade weapons, interact with companions, and enjoy the game’s stunning original score.
Fans can pre-order a physical Collector’s Edition, which features exclusive items like a hand-painted Monolith music box, a 48-page artbook, and DLC-inspired outfits. A digital Deluxe Edition is also available, offering additional customization options. Both editions include the “Flowers” Collection DLC, adding outfits and hairstyles inspired by Lumière’s flora. For more details, visit Expedition33.com. Below details about the game and collectors edition.
In today’s presentation, Sandfall Interactive shared details about Expedition 33’s development origins, plus several new gameplay features sure to intrigue fans looking forward to the game’s upcoming release. Filmed on location at Sandfall Interactive’s studio in Montpellier, France, several members of the development team shared more detail on the game’s emotional story, stunning art direction inspired by Belle Epoque France, and its innovative reactive turn-based combat gameplay, which infuses traditional RPG mechanics with real-time defensive and offensive abilities.
Additionally, the team revealed brand-new characters players will encounter during their adventure: the friendly, yet bloodthirsty, Monoco (voiced by Rich Keeble) and the larger-than-life Esquie (voiced by Maxence Cazorla). Monoco the Gestral joins the Expedition as a fully playable character, bringing his own unique playstyle to battles by transforming himself into the enemies the party encounters and using their abilities against them, while Esquie is an altogether more unusual character that players will befriend and use to discover the game’s explorable world. Throughout the game, players will unlock more abilities with Esquie, letting the Expedition climb aboard and traverse, swim, and soar across the game’s newly revealed overworld map.
Reminiscent of classic RPGs that inspired Expedition 33’s turn-based gameplay, the world map gives players freedom to explore various new locations and secrets on their path to destroy the Paintress. Outside of rich level-based environments like Ancient Sanctuary and the Gestral Village, the overworld has unique discoverable caves and bespoke locations hosting challenging optional battles and side quests, providing extensive opportunities for players to test their mettle and master the game’s deep and rewarding character building mechanics. Players will also be able to set up camp on the overworld, taking time to reinforce their character weapons and builds, listen to the game’s stunning original score via an in-game record player, and have conversations with their teammates to learn more about their stories and motivations on their path to destroy the Paintress.
Alongside the physical Standard Edition of the game, fans can also pre-order the premium Collector’s Edition of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for PlayStation 5 from today, which includes:
- The base game
- A 20.3cm hand-painted Monolith music box
- A collectible Steelbook® case featuring Gustave, Maelle, and the Paintress
- The Expeditioner’s Journal 48-page hardcover artbook
- The “Flowers” Collection (six outfits and hairstyles inspired by the flowers of Lumière (DLC), plus six Gommage outfit variations (DLC))
- A “Clair” custom outfit for Maelle (DLC)
- An “Obscur” custom outfit for Gustave (DLC)*.
Fans in North America can pre-order and learn more about the physical editions of Expedition 33 exclusively via Gamestop, while fans in Europe and select global markets can visit Laced Records.
Additionally, fans can pre-order the digital Deluxe Edition of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from today, which includes:
- The base game
- The “Flowers” Collection (six outfits and hairstyles inspired by the flowers of Lumière (DLC), plus six Gommage outfit variations (DLC))
- A “Clair” custom outfit for Maelle (DLC)
- An “Obscur” custom outfit for Gustave (DLC)*.
For more information, visit Expedition33.com/WhereToBuy
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available to pre-order from today and will be available on April 24 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S (available day one with Xbox Game Pass), and PC (via Steam and the Epic Games Store).
