Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Dev Explains Game’s Low Price

The relatively low price of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is rooted in a desire to make the game as accessible as possible, Sandfall Interactive said. The developer also offered assurances to fans worried that the RPG’s price is a signal that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won’t have a lot of content.

Originally announced during the June 2024 Xbox Games Showcase, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a JRPG-like experience made by Montpellier, France-based studio Sandfall Interactive. Its pre-orders went live in mid-October 2024, when it was revealed that the game will retail for $49.99. This took some fans by surprise, to the point that there was even some online speculation about the listed price possibly being a mistake.

In a subsequent statement, Sandfall Interactive confirmed that the $49.99 pricing is “accurate.” Elaborating on the reasons behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33‘s budget price, the studio said that it wanted to make its debut title maximally accessible. Offering it at a $20 (~28%) discount compared to what a typical big-budget game costs these days on release is its way of doing so. “We aren’t an AAA studio, this is our first game, and we want as many people discovering our world as possible,” a company representative explained.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Promises Decent-Sized Campaign

The same statement also saw the studio reflect on the game’s length, estimating that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will take at least 30 hours to beat for those who solely focus on its main story. While that figure doesn’t exactly make it one of the longest RPGs ever, Sandfall also promised to include a plethora of side content for completionists to enjoy.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is presently targeting a spring 2025 launch. It will be published by British game distributor Kepler Interactive. The PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions of the RPG will be released physically in addition to digitally, while the PC port will be digital-only, available via Steam and the Epic Games Store.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is likely to face stiff competition at launch, as there is no shortage of high-profile RPGs slated for 2025. But its $49.99 price tag in an era of $70 games could go a long way in helping it stand out from its rivals, not least because it reflects a consumer-friendly mindset. The RPG will technically be playable for an even lower price at launch, as it has already been confirmed as a day-one Xbox Game Pass release. The decision to bring it to Microsoft’s subscription service aligns with Sandfall’s newly stated goal of making Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as accessible as it can possibly be.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a ground-breaking turn-based RPG with unique real-time mechanics, making battles more immersive and addictive than ever. Explore a fantasy world inspired by Belle Époque France in which you battle devastating enemies.

In this evolution of JRPGs, real-time actions enhance the heart of turn-based combat. Craft unique builds for your Expeditioners that fit your playstyle via gear, stats, skills, and character synergies. Open an active dimension in combat – dodge, parry, and counter in real time, chain combos by mastering attack rhythms, and target enemy weak points using a free aim system.

With only one year left to live, join Gustave, Maelle, and their fellow Expeditioners as they embark upon a desperate quest to break the Paintress’ cycle of death. Follow the trail of previous expeditions and discover their fate. Get to know the members of Expedition 33 as they learn to work together against impossible odds.

Explore an enchanting realm populated by surreal adversaries. Wander through breathtaking landscapes, from the Island of Visages to the Forgotten Battlefield, discovering secrets and hidden quests along the way. Find allies of fortune in creatures of legend and recruit special companions, access new travel methods and discover secret areas in the World Map.

 

Developer(s)

Sandfall Interactive

Publisher(s)

Kepler Interactive

Engine

Unreal Engine 5

ESRB

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