Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 had a trailer so compelling that upon seeing it, I instantly went to all the group chats I take part in (a singular Discord server) to extol it, urging my friends to look at it again on YouTube.
After rewatching the trailer for this piece, I am much more excited. There’s plenty of energy in a superb trailer and Clair Obscur’s reveal did every thing completely. We obtained a style of what is distinctive in regards to the setting, we noticed the stakes our characters are dealing with and we obtained an ending that left us wanting extra. All of that is accompanied by a fascinating observe that mixes a classical, operatic really feel with the rising rigidity of an anime opening.
Belle Époque
Clair Obscur is the debut title of Sandfall Interactive, a French studio based in 2020 with a watch for “single-player experiences.” The premise of the sport is a Paintress awakens annually and paints a quantity, inflicting each individual with the age of that quantity to vanish Thanos-style. Expeditions to cease the Paintress are despatched yearly, with our celebration being Expedition 33 because the identify suggests.
I am virtually sure already that the Paintress shouldn’t be some evil, tyrannical being. She’s in all probability defending the world from an much more apocalyptic pressure; that is often how these narratives twist. That is the fantastic thing about it, although. There’s going to be a thriller to unravel, it is not going to be as black and white as offered. Why is the Paintress doing this? What is the significance of the numbers? We’re in all probability not going to seek out out however I’m wondering what occurs when she paints a zero.
The trailer opens with an overgrown and disproportionate depiction of Paris, a lopsided Eiffel Tower standing (leaning) at its centre. In accordance with Sandfall, Clair Obscur is impressed by Belle Époque, the ‘stunning period’ of France that lasted from the tip of the Franco-Prussian Struggle in 1971 to the outbreak of World Struggle I in 1914. That vibe is actually coming throughout within the trailer, as we see well-dressed characters mourn the lack of the Paintress’s victims in flowery, paved streets.
It is all the time good to see studios leveraging their very own cultural context to create artwork, and I count on the French-based Sandfall goes to create a beautiful depiction of Belle Époque. This era is characterised by cultural enlightenment so count on to see plenty of artwork nouveau and post-impressionism.
We see some gameplay, too. Our curly-haired potential protagonist walks alongside numerous environments staring on the sky, showcasing among the visible potential of the sport. You are additionally seen taking part in as a brown-haired girl, doubtlessly that means we are able to change our lead character as in a JRPG.
The fight system on show is distinctly Japanese, additionally. It seems to be a Satan Might Cry-esque turn-based system with quick-time occasions, presumably for more practical assaults or further injury. I am keen on extra dynamic takes on turn-based fight, it is one thing I completely loved in Sea of Stars. Within the trailer, there are three celebration members in fight, all three of which we see in snippets of cutscenes. It is a minor element however I recognize the menus that kind of float dynamically in entrance of the character whose flip it’s. It provides a way of motion to a static part of the sport.
The reveal trailer is a optimistic begin to the advertising and marketing journey of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. I am excited, and I’ve seen fairly just a few others who’re equally as invested on social media. The sport is scheduled for launch someday subsequent yr, and I am desirous to see if Sandfall can preserve this momentum going ahead.
