Clair Obscur’s Level Design Could Benefit from Final Fantasy’s Approach

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is poised to become one of the standout RPGs in 2025. Crafted by the talented team at Sandfall Interactive and brought to players by Kepler Interactive, this game offers a unique blend of turn-based and real-time combat, drawing inspiration from classics like Final Fantasy, Lost Odyssey, and Xenoblade Chronicles. Set in a world that evokes the Belle Epoque era of France, the game’s atmosphere is hauntingly captivating, challenged by a mysterious figure known as the Paintress, who annually curses an age group to their doom. With its heavy narrative emphasis and stunning visuals, many have likened its linear design to the likes of Final Fantasy 10 and Final Fantasy 13, games that each handled linearity in their own distinctive manners.

From the initial glimpses we’ve seen, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 seems to promise a tightly woven narrative journey. Its success will likely hinge on how it balances this linear approach. Final Fantasy 10 managed to make its linear RPG experience feel expansive with areas that allowed for backtracking, hidden secrets, and meaningful exploration. On the flip side, Final Fantasy 13 faced criticism for its confining corridors and limited player choices throughout much of its playtime. If Expedition 33 can channel the former’s strengths while sidestepping the latter’s pitfalls, it might offer a linear RPG experience that’s engaging rather than limiting.

Looking back, one of the strongest aspects of Final Fantasy 10 was how alive its world felt. Despite the linear path, Spira was a vibrant, living place filled with diverse environments, cultural uniqueness, and interactive elements. The stark juxtapositions between locations like Besaid Island and Macalania enhanced this feeling. Players had opportunities to revisit older locations with newfound abilities, leading to hidden treasures and engaging side quests. Even with a predetermined narrative, the game managed to convey a vastness that many remember fondly.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 could greatly benefit from this approach. While its world is undeniably gorgeous, rich with painterly sceneries and breathtaking vistas, substance is key to keeping players captivated. By incorporating hidden realms, engaging NPC interactions steeped in lore, and optional challenges, the journey can be dynamic, making each step feel significant rather than just a sequence of predetermined events. Introducing elements like backtracking to revisit previous locations or using environmental storytelling that encourages curiosity can capture the same immersive spirit that made Final Fantasy 10 so beloved.

Another exciting aspect is the game’s combat mechanics, which draws parallels with Final Fantasy 10. Much like the CTB system from Final Fantasy 10, Expedition 33 offers a turn-based setup, where the order of turns plays a pivotal role. Knowing when characters and enemies will act allows for strategic planning, enabling players to delay enemy actions or unleash powerful combinations.

Such a system keeps encounters lively even when exploration is somewhat linear. In Final Fantasy 10, the ability to swap characters mid-battle allowed for versatile strategies against varying enemies. If Expedition 33 can match this depth—which it appears to be striving for with features like character synergy and skill-based mechanics—it will provide battles that remain intriguing and layered throughout the adventure.

Unlike the rigidly linear experience of Final Fantasy 13, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 appears to offer more openness. Players have an overworld to explore, with ample opportunities to discover hidden gems and engage in exciting combat scenes. Plus, fans can look forward to a version of the classic airship later in the game.

The intriguing lore and the unique narrative device of the Paintress bring an advantage to the game. With its foreboding countdown, Expedition 33 has a gripping hook from the start. If the game incorporates this urgency into its design, perhaps through time-sensitive quests or changing environments, it could cultivate an experience that feels both pressing and immersive.

Drawing strong comparisons to Final Fantasy 10, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 could redefine the linear RPG landscape of 2025 if it captures what worked there while avoiding Final Fantasy 13’s shortcomings. Everything from its combat to its world design and storytelling suggests a game well-attuned to making linearity feel meaningful.

Should Sandfall Interactive hit the right notes, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 may not just become the next big RPG but could serve as a model for contemporary linear RPGs. With its anticipated release on April 24, 2025, on platforms like PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC—including a debut on Xbox Game Pass—players won’t have long to see how it all unfolds.