Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has captivated millions, its stunning surrealist adventure leaving a lasting impression with its narrative and challenging parry system. But after selling five million copies, do its creators at Sandfall Interactive have any lingering thoughts on what could have been different? We sat down with CEO and creative director Guillaume Broche and COO Francois Meurisse to find out.
“I think that we had this discussion with the team,” Broche shared. “I think we are at like 85% of my original vision with the final game, which is a very impressive number compared to what usually happens in games.” Our previous encounter with Broche at Gamescom 2024 left us thoroughly impressed by the game’s unique style and combat. While the full extent of its growth into one of the best RPGs in years wasn’t immediately clear then, that initial glimpse strongly showcased the team’s unwavering direction.
A video showcasing gameplay and the vibrant world of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was also highlighted during our conversation.
“Even as a developer, playing the game once it was complete and finished, I felt that it exceeded what I planned as a producer – what I was expecting from it,” Meurisse added. He explained that throughout four or five years of production, developers often see the game in separate, unfinished pieces, making it hard to gauge player reactions. “You don’t know how players will react to it. Even the emotional moments, like the prologue gommage, you see it hundreds of times, you know. So you cannot even know how it feels anymore.”
Meurisse continued, expressing his renewed energy post-release. “Having this ability to have the game released, to play it in a complete way, and to see how people lived it and reacted to it, and how much they love the characters and the story and the music and everything, gave us a second wind as the developers.”
Turning to Broche, Meurisse concluded, “It made me realize that, I think it’s 85% of your vision, but to me it’s 120% of whatever I could have dreamed of as a game maker.” Broche affirmed that he holds no major regrets from the development journey, but one beloved character, Esquie, remains a point of focus for potential future enhancements. This character, a fan favorite, is depicted in the game’s surreal art style, standing in a dreamlike environment.
“I would have loved to do a bit more with Esquie personally, but it’s something that we might want to do later,” Broche revealed. “But overall I think we are all pretty, pretty happy with where we ended up.” Sandfall Interactive has already announced a significant upcoming update, promising a new location, fresh enemy encounters, additional late-game boss battles, and more costumes. It’s safe to say fans would eagerly welcome any extra lore or content for Esquie within these updates.
If you’re still navigating Clair Obscur’s challenges, consider exploring various builds to enhance your gameplay. Ensure your setup is ready to experience the game’s spectacular visuals by checking out the latest in gaming monitors.
What are your hopes for the new zone? Share your predictions for what new discoveries await in the upcoming update.