French Developer Sandfall Interactive Debuts First Title with Bold Visuals and Unique Combat
Gamers and RPG enthusiasts are counting down the days until the release of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a bold new entry in the genre arriving on April 24, 2025. Developed by French studio Sandfall Interactive, this turn-based RPG blends stylized realism, rich worldbuilding, and an innovative combat system inspired by both classic RPGs and modern action mechanics.
Set in a decaying Belle Époque-inspired fantasy world, Expedition 33 introduces players to a society held hostage by the mysterious Paintress—an immortal figure who, each year, paints a number onto her monolith, condemning all citizens of that age to death. The protagonist, Gustave, is part of the 33rd expedition formed to break this deadly cycle by reaching and eliminating the Paintress herself.
Real-Time Skill in a Turn-Based World
What sets Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 apart is its hybrid combat system. While maintaining the strategic rhythm of turn-based gameplay, it incorporates real-time inputs during both attacks and defensive maneuvers. Players must time their actions precisely to enhance their offensive abilities or dodge incoming strikes, lending an action-RPG feel to what is structurally a turn-based battle system.
Each party member brings their own set of distinct skills, backgrounds, and synergies. In combat, character positioning, enemy targeting, and interrupt mechanics add further tactical layers, drawing comparisons to systems seen in Final Fantasy X and Persona 5—but with a visual polish more akin to Hogwarts Legacy or Forspoken.
Narrative and Worldbuilding with French Flair
Sandfall Interactive, based in Montpellier, has invested heavily in the game’s narrative and environmental storytelling. The setting fuses dark fantasy with steampunk sensibilities and early 20th-century French aesthetics, making it a visually arresting experience. Crumbling architecture, surreal dreamscapes, and painterly textures all contribute to a world that feels simultaneously beautiful and menacing.
The story explores philosophical themes such as mortality, collective trauma, and defiance against authoritarian control, placing emotional weight behind the epic journey. According to the developers, the game will deliver a self-contained story, though its world is expansive enough to support future titles.
Launch Platforms and Expectations
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will launch on April 24 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam. It will also be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one, offering early access to a large audience eager to explore this promising new RPG universe.
The game has already generated buzz in preview builds, with players and critics praising its stylish presentation, rich world, and the potential to evolve turn-based design for a modern audience. With a debut title of this scale, Sandfall Interactive may quickly cement itself as a fresh voice in the RPG genre.
As the release date approaches, Expedition 33 stands as one of the most intriguing RPG launches of 2025—a visual and narrative gamble that could pay off in both critical acclaim and fan devotion.