The Xbox Showcase was the best show this past weekend. After two lackluster showcases by Sony and the Sumer Game Fest, Xbox blew them away with its show. The most surprising game was Clair Obsur: Expedition 33. This game was an actual surprise compared with the games shown in the previous two showcases.
What is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a brand-new RPG being developed by Sand Fall Interactive. The game will be turn-based with unique real-time mechanics. The setting is described as a “world of wonders” inspired by Belle Époque France.
Premise
An otherworldly being known as the “Paintress” paints on her monolith every year. Each year, she paints a cursed number. Anyone whose age matches the cursed number will go up in smoke and die. As the years come, the cursed number ticks down. And more people are erased as a result.
The paintress will paint the number 33 next. Gustav, Maelle, and the other members of the 33rd expedition only have one year to live. The 33rd Expedition will embark on a final mission.
Their final mission is to destroy the Paintress. And stop her from painting death forever. To accomplish this mission, the 33rd expedition will follow the trails of previous expeditions. And they will discover their fate.
Reactive Turn-Based Combat
Combat will have groundbreaking turn-based combat. The combat will have real-time actions which will evolve turn-based combat. You can open an active dimension in which you can dodge, parry, and counter enemies' attacks in real time. You can also chain combos by mastering attack rhythms. Finally, you can target enemies’ weak points with a free aim system.
The World of Clair Obscur
The art direction of Clair Obscur will set in a realistic yet fantastical world. We will be able to explore beautiful and mystical locations in the game. And we will be able to find plenty of secrets and hidden quests in this beautiful world of Clair Obscur.
The 33rd expedition will find allies of fortune through creatures of legends. Special companions can be recruited into the expedition. New forms of travel will be available in the journey. Secret locations can be discovered on the world map. Finally, the game will have a beautiful soundtrack.
My Thoughts on Clair Obscur
I was pleasantly surprised by this game. And I was blown away by it too. The art direction is something I have wished for in new AAA games for a while. It's exciting to play a game where you explore a beautiful fantasy world full of wonder.
Battle System
The battle system is another element that blew me away. Incorporating real-time elements such as dodging, parrying, and countering in a turn-based game is exciting. I still have a love for turn-based games, but action-based games are what I am playing more these days.
I am pleased that the battle system takes inspiration from Final Fantasy X and Persona 5. Both games are some of my all-time favorites from their respective series. The FF X's turn order is something I love to see. Persona’s single-button commands are what made Persona 5 combat system excellent.
Clair Obscur combining these two elements with real-time actions is an innovative and refreshing take. This is the first time in a while that I look forward to playing a turn-based game. And that is rare in modern gaming as action games are the current trend.
The Story of Clair Obscur is what I look forward to the most. The story will explore the aspect of death. And the premise of the paintress being a dealer of death is pretty interesting. It reminds me of Final Fantasy X as Sin is the one causing death and destruction in the world of Spira.
In Final Fantasy X, summoners and their guardians would go on pilgrimages. Pilgrimages were essential for summoners to obtain the power to defeat Sin. Summoners and guardians would travel to the temples in Spira. Summoners will pray to the Fayth and acquire their Aeons. Aeons were the summons in Final Fantasy X.
Once summoners had the Final Aeon. They would take on Sin. Summoners would destroy Sin and bring about the Calm. However, the Calm was temporary as Sin was eternal. Being immortal, Sin would always resurrect and continue its path of destruction.
The Paintress is similar to Sin. She causes death through her paintings. The expeditions of the 33rd and past expeditions wanting to destroy her are reminiscent of the summoner’s mission to destroy Sin.
Clair Obscur's story is similar to Final Fantasy X. The art style, the combat, and the story are reminiscent of Final Fantasy X. I consider Final Fantasy X one of the greatest games. Clair Obscur having references for FFX is exciting for me.
Ben Starr is one of the main characters in this game. I loved his portrayal as Clive Rosfield. So, I am excited that this incredible voice actor is in the game. All these things have me very excited for Clair Obscur.
Sources: Gematsu
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