Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Surpasses Expectations, Square Enix May Be Rethinking JRPG Strategy
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has taken the JRPG world by storm, selling twice as fast as any other JRPG on Steam and achieving over a million copies sold despite being available on Game Pass. This unexpected success story has sparked a debate about the future of turn-based combat in realistic JRPGs and whether Square Enix might be reconsidering its stance.
According to analyst Rhys Elliott, the Head of Market Analysis at Alinea Analytics, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's early sales figures are particularly impressive compared to triple-A games like Metaphor: ReFantazio and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.
"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a certified hit, officially selling more than one million copies," Elliott stated in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz. He highlighted the transparency of the sales figures, noting that they represent copies sold, not just players reached. While Final Fantasy VII Rebirth performed better on PlayStation, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is still ahead of the rest of the pack, showcasing a significant demand for this type of game on Steam.
Elliott also pointed out that the success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 might be due to its realistic art style and turn-based combat, something that some Final Fantasy fans have been clamoring for. He suggested that this game has provided RPG fans with something they've always wanted: "If you asked Final Fantasy fans from the late '90s/early '00s what the ideal version of a JRPG should look like, it'd be something like this."
This sentiment contrasts with comments made by Final Fantasy XVI Producer Naoki Yoshida back in 2022. Yoshida expressed concerns that combining turn-based combat with realistic graphics could create a sense of "idiosyncrasy" for some players, leading Final Fantasy XVI to focus solely on action-based combat.
However, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has proven that there's still a strong market for turn-based combat, especially when it's innovatively revamped with features like real-time dodges and parries, as highlighted in Wccftech's 9.5/10 review.
"There was also an opening for a modern, realistic-looking JRPG," Elliott continues. "Square Enix was reticent to do it with the Final Fantasy series. Now it's probably kicking itself.Expedition 33 has given RPG fans something they always wanted..."
Adding to the excitement, Sandfall Interactive's lead writer, Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, has hinted at the possibility of DLC for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, stating that the chances are "good" if there's a strong desire from players.
And here we are.
Three days after launch.
One million copies sold.Thank you for believing in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. pic.twitter.com/92T2qZxcHP
— Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (@expedition33) April 27, 2025
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 success demonstrates the enduring appeal of well-executed turn-based JRPGs. Has Sandfall Interactive’s debut title carved out a new path for the genre? Will Square Enix reconsider their approach to the Final Fantasy franchise in light of this success?
What do you think about the blend of realistic graphics and turn-based combat? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
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Is Clair Obscur Expedition 33 a JRPG?
u201cExpedition 33 has given RPG fans something they always wanted. If you asked Final Fantasy fans from the late '90s/early '00s what the ideal version of a JRPG should look like, it'd be something like this.'
Is Clair Obscur Expedition 33 turn based?
It's an intriguing set-up for an epic tale, but the game's aesthetic, inspired by 19th-Century France, and its old-school turn-based battles also set it apart.
How many hours is Clair Obscur Expedition 33?
If you just stick to the main story, you can beat Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 in 24.5 hours. Yet, while there isn't an abundance of side content in the game, there is enough for you to get distracted from time to time.
Is Clair Obscur Expedition 33 hard?
While there are a ton of powerful and challenging enemies in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, many of the endgame and secret bosses take the cake when it comes to difficulty.
