Clair Obscur: Expedition 33is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing RPGs of 2025. Developed by Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive, the game combines turn-based combat with real-time mechanics, drawing inspiration fromFinal Fantasy,Lost Odyssey, andXenoblade Chronicles. Its setting, inspired by Belle Epoque France, introduces a hauntingly beautiful world threatened by the Paintress, a being who dooms an entire age group to death each year. With a heavy narrative focus and a visually appealing world, the game’s linear design has drawn comparisons toFinal Fantasy 10andFinal Fantasy 13, two games that handled linearity in very different ways.
Early previews suggestClair Obscur: Expedition 33will feature a structured, story-driven progression, but the key to its success may lie in how it balances its linearity.Final Fantasy 10demonstrated how a linear RPG could still feel expansive through backtracking, hidden paths, and meaningful exploration. Meanwhile,Final Fantasy 13struggled with its restrictive corridors and lack of player agency for most of its runtime. IfExpedition 33can take cues fromFinal Fantasy 10while avoidingFinal Fantasy 13’smissteps, it could be a linear RPG that feels engaging rather than constrained.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s World Must Feel Alive
One ofFinal Fantasy 10’sgreatest strengths was its world design. Spira felt vast and alive despite the game’s linear structure because of its diverse biomes, unique cultures, and interactive environments. There were stark contrasts between places like Besaid Island and Macalania. Players could revisit older areas with new abilities, uncover hidden treasures, and engage in optional side quests. Even though the main story followed a set path, the game created a sense of scale and exploration that made the world feel larger than it was.
From what has been shown so far forClair Obscur: Expedition 33, it could seemingly benefit from a similar approach. Its world is visually stunning, with painter-appreciative environments and striking landscapes, but to keep players engaged, it needs more than just a beautiful backdrop. Hidden areas, lore-heavy NPC interactions, and optional challenges could add depth, making the journey feel dynamic rather than a straight march from one story beat to the next. IfExpedition 33can introduce elements like backtracking to previously inaccessible locations or environmental storytelling that encourages players to linger and explore, it could capture the same immersive quality that madeFinal Fantasy 10so beloved.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s Combat Adds Strategy
Another area whereClair Obscur: Expedition 33aligns withFinal Fantasy 10is its combat system. Much like theConditional Turn-Based (CTB) system inFinal Fantasy 10,Expedition 33features a turn-based structure where turn order plays a critical role in strategy. The ability to see when enemies and allies will act allows players to make tactical decisions, such as delaying an enemy’s turn or setting up powerful combos.
This kind of system helps linear RPGs remain engaging even when exploration is limited. InFinal Fantasy 10, combat encounters felt dynamicbecause players could swap party members mid-battle, adjusting their strategies based on enemy weaknesses. IfExpedition 33can provide similar layers of depth—which it arguably is through character synergy, dodge and parry mechanics, and its skill-based mechanics—it could ensure that battles remain fresh throughout the adventure.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s Linearity Must Be Engaging
One of thebiggest criticisms ofFinal Fantasy 13was its rigid linearity. UnlikeFinal Fantasy 10, which allowed for some exploration and player-driven progression,Final Fantasy 13locked players into narrow corridors for nearly 30 hours before opening up in its later chapters. The lack of meaningful detours, hidden secrets, or even side quests in the early game made it feel restrictive.
Early impressions ofClair Obscur: Expedition 33suggest it will avoid these pitfalls. While the game is primarily linear, it features an overworld where players can travel between major locations, discover hidden treasures, and engage in combat encounters. There will also be Clair Obscur’s rendition of the traditional airship later in the game.
The game’s lore and unique premise also give it an advantage. The concept ofthe Paintress and her deadly countdownprovides a strong narrative hook, and if the game integrates this tension into its world design—perhaps through time-sensitive events or shifting environments—it could create a gripping experience that feels urgent and immersive.
A Linear RPG Done Right
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33is already drawing strong comparisons toFinal Fantasy 10, and if it can replicate that game’s strengths—while avoiding the weaknesses ofFinal Fantasy 13—it could become one of the most compelling RPGs of the year. Its combat system, world design, and narrative potential all indicate a game that understands how to make linear progression feel meaningful.
If Sandfall Interactive can strike the right balance,Clair Obscur: Expedition 33may not just be an exciting new RPG, but a blueprint for how modern linear RPGs can thrive. With its release set for July 22, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (including a day-one launch on Xbox Game Pass), players won’t have to wait long to see if it delivers.
