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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Director Praises Persona 5’s Influence on Game Design

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a breakout turn-based RPG from French studio Sandfall Interactive, has taken the gaming world by storm with its stunning visuals and gripping combat. In a recent interview, creative director Guillaume Broche shared his admiration for Persona 5, calling it “the best game in the world” for its user interface (UI) and combat visuals. With Clair Obscur earning a 92/100 on OpenCritic and selling 2 million copies in just 12 days, Broche’s nod to Persona 5 highlights the JRPG’s profound impact on the game’s development. This article explores how Persona 5 shaped Clair Obscur, its key features, and why it’s a must-play for RPG fans.
How Persona 5 Inspired Clair Obscur’s Combat and UI
In an interview with Denfaminicogamer, translated by Automaton Media, Guillaume Broche, CEO and creative director of Sandfall Interactive, revealed that Persona 5’s dynamic combat and sleek UI were major inspirations for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. “The way the camera shifts dramatically with each action, making it feel like you’re watching a movie, left a huge impression on me,” Broche said. He praised Persona 5 for its intuitive button-mapped UI, which avoids clunky menu scrolling, and its cinematic flair that makes every attack feel epic. Clair Obscur adopts similar principles, blending turn-based mechanics with real-time elements like dodging and parrying, creating battles that feel both tactical and thrilling.

Broche emphasized that Clair Obscur doesn’t just mimic Persona 5. Instead, Sandfall Interactive reinterpreted its ideas, adding a unique French twist inspired by Belle Époque aesthetics and a haunting narrative about the Gommage, a yearly event where a godlike Paintress erases people of a specific age. The result is a combat system that echoes Persona 5’s style but introduces innovations like gun-based aiming and Sekiro-inspired parries, earning praise for its depth and polish.


Clair Obscur’s Broader JRPG Inspirations
While Persona 5 stands out, Broche noted that Clair Obscur draws from a rich tapestry of JRPGs, including Final Fantasy VI-X, Suikoden, Shadow Hearts, Atelier, and Lost Odyssey. “It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how these games shaped us,” Broche admitted, explaining that his goal was to evolve these influences into something original rather than copy them outright. This approach has paid off, with Clair Obscur hailed as a “love letter to JRPGs” that carves its own identity with a dark fantasy narrative and a classical soundtrack topping Billboard’s charts.

The game’s visual style, built on Unreal Engine 5, blends French art influences with JRPG flair, creating breathtaking environments that rival Persona 5’s comic-book aesthetic. Fans on X have called Clair Obscur “Persona with French soul,” praising its ability to feel familiar yet fresh, much like Persona 5 did for the genre in 2016.


Why Clair Obscur Is a Hit with RPG Fans
Released on April 24, 2025, for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has become a critical darling, boasting a 97% reviewer recommendation rate on OpenCritic. Its success stems from:
  • Dynamic Combat: A hybrid system blending Persona 5’s stylish turn-based mechanics with real-time dodges, parries, and QTEs, inspired by Sekiro. Players control Expeditioners like Gustave (voiced by Charlie Cox) and Maelle, facing surreal enemies in intense battles.

  • Emotional Storytelling: Set in Lumière, where the Paintress’ Gommage claims lives annually, the game explores grief and sacrifice, resonating with fans of Persona 5’s coming-of-age themes.

  • Stunning Presentation: From its evocative soundtrack to its painterly visuals, Clair Obscur delivers a cinematic experience that echoes Persona 5’s flair.

The game’s 35-hour campaign, packed with meaningful side content and voiced by talents like Ben Starr (Final Fantasy XVI), has drawn comparisons to Baldur’s Gate 3 for its impact on the RPG genre.

What’s Next for Clair Obscur
Sandfall Interactive continues to refine Clair Obscur’s UI, with Broche hinting at further Persona 5-inspired tweaks post-launch. The game’s success—1 million copies sold in three days and a Steam peak surpassing Metaphor: ReFantazio—has sparked talk of future expansions or sequels. Its day-one Game Pass availability and $50 price point (compared to $70 for most AAA titles) make it accessible to a wide audience. A Nintendo Switch 2 version is also rumored for late 2025, expanding its reach.

How to Stay Updated on Clair Obscur
Want to dive deeper into Clair Obscur: Expedition 33? Here’s how:
  • Follow Sandfall Interactive: Check their X account or official site for updates on patches and potential DLC.
  • Track Gaming News: Sites like IGN, PC Gamer, and GamesRadar cover Clair Obscur’s milestones and developer insights.
  • Join X Conversations: Search #ClairObscur or #Expedition33 for fan reactions and news.
  • Check OpenCritic: Monitor reviews and player feedback for the latest on Clair Obscur’s reception.
Why Clair Obscur’s Persona 5 Love Matters
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 proves that Persona 5’s influence extends beyond Japan, inspiring a French studio to craft a modern RPG masterpiece. By blending Persona 5’s dynamic UI and cinematic combat with its own haunting narrative and art style, Clair Obscur has redefined turn-based RPGs. Whether you’re a Persona fan or new to the genre, this game is a must-play. What do you think of Clair Obscur’s Persona 5 inspirations? Share your thoughts below or on X with #ClairObscur!
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