Summary
The renaissance of the turn-based RPG genre has been a treat for fans who witnessed these kinds of games stagnate during the sixth and seventh generations of gaming. This genre has become more relevant than ever before, and the success of games likeClair Obscur: Expedition 33proves this.
The stylish interface, QTE-heavy combat, and epic story all feel original, while taking inspiration from the genre’s rich and historied past. With this game turning into one of 2025’s biggest hits despite the unfortunate timing ofOblivionRemastered’s shadow drop, it’s only fair to highlight some of the most notable JRPGs that inspired this small French dev team to do something truly special with their debut title.
The plot ofClair Obscur: Expedition 33revolves around a hunt to defeat the Paintress in a race against time. If the heroes fail to stop her, then the entire population above a certain age will perish. It’s an annual cycle that people want to stop to give humanity a chance. It’s a plot with high stakes in the same veinasFinal Fantasy 10, which also dealt with a similar recurring apocalyptic event that left its world in a permanent state of fear. It’s easy to see why Guillaume Broche, the game’s director, cited this title as one of its inspirations.
Persona 5is one of the greatest JRPGsever made, and is hailed by many as a return to form for this genre. The amazing art style and snappy combat proved once and for all that turn-based RPGs never needed to fade out of relevance in the first place.
One look atClair Obscur’s UI will make its inspirations clear as day. Presentation has become a critical part of most turn-based RPGs, andClair Obscurgot the memo in this department.
JRPGs likeThe Legend of Dragoontried to make attacks more exciting by integrating quick-time events, which gave players an urgency to be more involved in combat. This is something thatClair Obscurdecided to emulate with splendid results.
While some players feel thatExpedition 33’s combat is too QTE-heavy, the game’s runtime isn’t so bloated that players will be fatigued by the combat. If anything, there are so many things to keep track of that even the most meticulous strategists will enjoy how chaotic some combat scenarios can get.
Final Fantasy 8built upon the success of its predecessor, making its 3D models consistent in both exploration and combat. It was a small change that enhanced the visual presentation considerably, which helped it stand out as one of the most beautifulFinal Fantasygames ever made.
Clair Obscur’s graphics are incredible and add a ton of depth to the presentation of this title in a similar manner. In addition, players will find the reliance on QTEs in this modern title somewhat similar to Squall’s regular attack inFinal Fantasy 8(where players needed to press in time with his swing to boost damage) and the Boost mechanic, where players mashed Square to enhance the damage of Guardian Forces.
Clair Obscurlets players take action in real time after executing actions, aiming to enhance damage and enjoy other bonuses by nailing quick-time events. This applies to defensive actions too, with players being encouraged to dodge or parry attacks to minimize damage.
Such is the case inSuper Mario RPGas well, which many fans loved for its involving combat system. It helped that the challenge wasn’t sacrificed in the process, which is yet another statement that applies toClair Obscur, too.
Chrono Trigger’s influence on the video game industrycan’t be stated enough. It was one of the first games in the genre to discard random encounters and battle screens, while also adding unique elements like multiple endings and a New Game+ mode.
Even if it may not be stated outright, it’s downright impossible thatChrono Triggerisn’t an inspiration for a modern game inspired by classic JRPGs. It was a game ahead of its time that is still held as the golden standard for the genre, andClair Obscurdoes a great job of honoring its legacy.
Final Fantasyhad some big hitters on the PlayStation, so the fact thatFinal Fantasy 9is considered the best one of the lot is hefty praise indeed. The game celebrated both the modern developments in the series at the time and its rich history to make for a delightful concoction. The charm and quality writing ofFinal Fantasy 9was appreciated by many JRPG veterans, which is why Broche mentioned it as a clear-cut inspiration forClair Obscur: Expedition 33.
