Broche States Clair Obscur’s Expedition 33 Didn’t Eradicate Prejudice Against Turn-Based Games
Ahmed Hassan 
Key Takeaways
Created with AI - we're still experimenting, so apologies if it misses the mark
- The turn-based RPG genre still faces persisting bias, even with recent successes like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and the Persona series.
- This bias is largely attributed to the rise of open-world games and their media attention, which has led some players to perceive turn-based RPGs as less engaging.
- Developers like Sandfall Interactive continue to incorporate traditional turn-based mechanics, such as blocking attacks, out of genuine appreciation for these gameplay styles rather than trying to conform to genre stereotypes.
- Despite strong sales and continued popularity, the prejudice against turn-based RPGs has not been entirely eliminated, making it an ongoing topic for discussion within the gaming community.
Broche Discusses Persisting Bias Against Turn-Based RPGs in the Era of Open World Games
Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 made a significant impact with its innovative take on the turn-based RPG genre. Despite winning numerous awards, Creative Director Guillaume Broche believes a bias persists against these games. Speaking to Automaton, Broche identified titles such as Expedition 33 and Persona as exceptions, noting that JRPGs require more work to fully regain their past popularity. Broche explained that this bias is a subject open to extensive discussion. He believes Japanese turn-based RPGs were incredibly popular until the Xbox 360 era. However, as open-world games gained significant media attention, turn-based RPGs began to be perceived as less engaging. Broche highlighted that the Persona series continues to sell strongly, yet the prejudice against turn-based RPGs has not entirely disappeared. He further clarified that features like blocking attacks were incorporated into Expedition 33 not merely to avoid genre stereotypes, but because the developers genuinely appreciated these mechanics and wanted to integrate them.
In Case You Missed It
If you’re looking for some weekend inspiration and want to dive into the world of gaming, be sure to check out Sophie Laurent’s latest post titled “What Will You Be Playing This Weekend?” published on August 1, 2025. Whether you’re planning a solo RPG adventure or getting ready for some intense multiplayer action, there’s something for everyone. Join the Eurogamer Portugal community and share your gaming plans—it’s a great way to connect with fellow enthusiasts and create lasting memories. Head over to What Will You Be Playing This Weekend? to see what the weekend has in store! If you’re a fan of Clair Obscur Expedition 33 and can’t get enough of the immersive world created by Sandall, make sure to check out Bruno Pferd’s latest piece on all the collectors you can purchase for this beloved French RPG game. Published on August 2, 2025, this article delves into everything from plushies and an artbook to CD sets and vinyl collections, each offering a unique way to celebrate your passion for Clair Obscur Expedition 33. Dive deeper into the details and start planning your collection at All Collectors You Can Purchase for Clair Obscur Expedition 33! If you’re a fan of deep lore and the fascinating behind-the-scenes aspects of game development, be sure to check out Jonathan Dubinski’s latest post from August 3rd. In “Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Revelation that will Change Your Perspective on the Game,” he delves into an intriguing revelation about how the developers of this French-style JRPG have left their mark within the game itself. From character designs inspired by team members to a studio-wide naming tradition, there’s plenty here for both casual and hardcore players alike. Dive deeper into this unique connection between creators and characters at Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Revelation that will Change Your Perspective on the Game!
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| 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 (344 reviews) |
About the Author
Sophie Laurent 
Marcus Thompson 
Jonathan Dubinski 
Bruno Pferd 
