The French-inspired RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has captured the hearts of gamers with its unique setting and engaging gameplay. However, the game’s origins were quite different from the final product. According to lead writer Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, the game was initially set in a steampunk Victorian England, complete with zombies and aliens.
The project, then called “We Lost,” was described as an “ambitious AA game” with a “3D modern take on the JRPG genre featuring western-style characters.
A trailer from five years ago showcased the early development process, with turn-based battles and characters Lune and Maelle already part of the project. However, following a call with potential investors, director Guillaume Broche was inspired to “think bigger.
The revised setting drew inspiration from a painting Broche admired and a short story Svedberg-Yen was developing, which revolved around an artist entering her own canvases. This transformation led to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 embracing French authenticity, evident in its fashion, humor, and cultural references.
The game’s charm is further enhanced by its playful self-deprecation and distinct French influence.
French inspiration shapes engaging gameplay
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is celebrated not just for its core plot but also for the whimsical, light-hearted elements that resonate with players.
Svedberg-Yen’s own short story about a young woman trying to save her painter mother from being lost in a painting became the backstory for Clair Obscur. The game’s title, which translates to the contrasting balance of lightness and darkness, has symbolic meaning tied to the themes within the game. While the pivot away from Victorian steampunk was driven by business potential, the development of Clair Obscur was not focused on creating a long-lasting IP for studio Sandfall Interactive.
Svedberg-Yen says, “I think we told the story we wanted to tell based on the characters we had — our story has a beginning, a middle, and an end.”
Despite this, Svedberg-Yen has plenty of lore and ideas stashed away, leaving the possibility open for future installments in the Clair Obscur universe. As she puts it, “The world is our oyster. Everything is possible.”
Image Credits: Photo by Anthony Choren on Unsplash
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