Summary
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33director Guillaume Broche has revealed that the first JRPG he ever played wasFinal Fantasy 8. The story was revealed in a recent interview, in which Broche discussed his early experiences with Japanese role-playing games that shaped the development of his first title as a game director.Clair Obscur: Expedition 33launched to the public on April 24 and is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33has drawn immense attention for its strong JRPG inspirations and amazing story. The game is set in a world with surreal French landscapes combined with influences from Japanese role-playing titles.Clair Obscur: Expedition 33is already considered a contender, if not an all-out favorite, for the 2025 Game of the Year award. This is an incredibly impressive feat for an indie game, particularly this early in the year.
In an interview withThe Washington Post, Broche recalled playingFinal Fantasy 8at a very young age. He and his brother couldn’t read well yet, making the text-heavy game harder for the 7-year-old and his co-op partner. As big of an impact as the title seems to have had on him, one particular point stood out to Broche. The only mechanic they could use was an auto-attack, which made the first boss encounter nearly impossible to clear.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Embodies Decades of JRPG Influence
Despite troubles playing his first JRPG, Broche was left with a lasting impression that not only made him fall in love with the genre but ultimately affected his professional trajectory. Broche grew up in an environment in which anime, manga, and Japanese video games were readily available. He went on to explore a wide range of JRPGs, includingPersona,Suikoden, andAtelier. According to the French game developer, all thesegames shapedClair Obscur: Expedition 33, ranging from narrative choices to visual art.
Broche’s vision has certainly worked out. With massive demand on various game platforms,Clair Obscur: Expedition 33was released on Game Passas a day-one title, and quickly reached over 100,000 simultaneous players on Steam. There’s no question that it is now among the most hyped games on the planet, despite its humble beginnings.
With massive billion-dollar franchises dominating much of the market, an independent game likeClair Obscur: Expedition 33has captured the imaginations of gamersin a very real way. It offers a fresh take on a proven concept that draws from Broche’s personal experience. It’s a great reminder that the RPG genre is ultimately rooted in storytelling, which is made ever better with a more personal touch.
