Skip to content
Players/For/Life
Business

Creators of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Visited Square Enix

The creative minds behind Clair Obscur recently met with Square Enix, exploring possibilities for shaping the future of the Final Fantasy series.

Sophie Laurent · 2 min read

Collaboration of Clair Obscur and Square Enix Sparks Turn-Based Combat Revival in Final Fantasy

During activities related to Expedition 33, the creators of Clair Obscur visited Square Enix HQ and met with the Final Fantasy development team. Naoki Hamaguchi, director of Final Fantasy VII Remake, revealed details about ongoing creative brainstorming sessions that took place during the visit. This visit occurs as turn-based combat gains renewed prominence within the Final Fantasy universe. While recent Final Fantasy titles have focused on real-time action, Clair Obscur's unique blend of turn-based and real-time gameplay has made a significant impact, selling over 3.3 million copies quickly. During a recent shareholder meeting, Square Enix acknowledged the value of turn-based combat's return and indicated that the company is closely observing games like Clair Obscur. However, Naoki Yoshida clarified that each project's creative vision will ultimately determine its combat system. This collaboration between the two studios doesn't necessarily indicate immediate changes for Final Fantasy games, but it could signal a desire for idea exchange that might influence future titles in the series.

In Case You Missed It

For gamers eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the Final Fantasy saga, Marcus Thompson’s latest piece delves into the intriguing debate surrounding turn-based combat in future installments. Published on July 11, 2025, this insightful article explores Naoki Yoshida’s thoughts on the potential return of classic turn-based gameplay while also highlighting Square Enix's commitment to diverse storytelling and unique game mechanics. Whether you’re a fan of strategic battles or fast-paced action, Marcus provides an engaging look at what might lie ahead for Final Fantasy XVII and beyond Turn-based Combat Remains Uncertain for Final Fantasy XVII. Don’t miss out on the latest insights from one of gaming’s most beloved franchises! For all the die-hard fans of "The Last of Us" series on HBO Max, Jonathan Dubinski's recent post from July 24th offers some crucial updates and insights that you won't want to miss. In his article, he discusses the delays in releasing Season 3 due to changes within the adaptation team following the departure of Neil Druckmann and Halley Gross. Craig Mazin, now at the helm, is exploring options for either a longer third season or extending the series into a fourth season to fully capture the narrative from the second game. To learn more about these developments, be sure to check out The Last of Us Season 3 Will Take a Long Time to Arrive and stay tuned for any updates on your favorite series! For all the fans of Clair Obscur Expedition 33 who have been eagerly anticipating some exciting news, Marcus Thompson has got you covered with his latest piece. Published on July 25, 2025, this post reveals that the game’s beloved soundtrack, which made waves upon its digital release and even topped the Billboard Classical Music chart, is finally set to be available in physical formats starting February 2026. With options ranging from an extensive CD set to collector's vinyl editions, there’s something for every type of fan looking to own a piece of this musical masterpiece. Make sure to check out Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Makes the Announcement Fans Have Been Waiting For, Set to Be a Hit to learn more about these highly anticipated releases!

// The Friday recap

Enjoyed this article? You will like the Friday recap.

Game info

Official Name
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Brief Summary
“Year by year, She erases us.” Once a year, the Paintress wakes and paints upon her monolith. Paints her cursed number. And everyone of that age turns to smoke and fades away. Year by year, that number ticks down and more of us are erased. Tomorrow she’ll wake and paint “33.” And tomorrow we depart on our final mission - Destroy the Paintress, so she can never paint death again. We are Expedition 33. Lead the members of Expedition 33 on their quest to destroy the Paintress so that she can never paint death again. Explore a world of wonders inspired by Belle Époque France and battle unique enemies in this turn-based RPG with real-time mechanics.
Platforms
PlayStation 5, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S
Released
April 24, 2025
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Turn-based strategy (TBS), Adventure
Play Modes
Single player
Content Rating
19+
Languages
Chinese (Simplified), English, Korean
Genre
Sandfall Interactive
Genre
Kepler Interactive
Ratings
90/100 (327 reviews)

Read next in Business

See all →