Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the breakout RPG from French indie studio Sandfall Interactive, is continuing to make waves—not just among players, but within the upper echelons of game development. With over 3.3 million units sold in its first 33 days and a record-breaking player score on Metacritic, this surreal turn-based title is already being cited as a potential catalyst for the revival of traditional JRPG mechanics—particularly within the Final Fantasy franchise.
A Resurgence of Turn-Based Combat?
The momentum behind Clair Obscur has sparked renewed conversations around the value of turn-based combat in modern AAA RPGs. During a recent Square Enix shareholders meeting, an investment media reporter publicly asked whether the company would consider returning to turn-based gameplay for upcoming titles such as Final Fantasy XVII and Dragon Quest XIII, directly referencing Expedition 33 as a compelling case study.
Though Square Enix has yet to confirm a definitive direction for Final Fantasy XVII, the buzz suggests that traditional combat mechanics—long requested by longtime fans—could be on the table. The last mainline Final Fantasy title to feature any meaningful turn-based system was Final Fantasy XII in 2006. Since then, the series has increasingly leaned into real-time action systems, sparking debate among purists.
A Critical and Commercial Phenomenon
Developed by a small team, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has managed to outperform gaming giants on Metacritic, overtaking classics like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Super Mario Galaxy, and even The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Its blend of poetic world-building, strategic turn-based battles, and emotionally grounded characters has made it both a commercial juggernaut and a cultural talking point.
Major studios are taking notice. CD Projekt Red, the studio behind Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher, publicly praised Expedition 33 for its exceptional storytelling and character development—further evidence that Sandfall Interactive has set a new industry benchmark.
Could Final Fantasy 17 Go Turn-Based?
With growing demand from fans and inspiration coming from critically acclaimed titles like Clair Obscur, Square Enix finds itself at a crossroads. While it’s unclear whether Final Fantasy 17 will fully embrace turn-based systems, the company’s openness to evolving based on community feedback gives fans a reason to be hopeful.
In an era where innovative indie games are influencing even the most iconic AAA franchises, Expedition 33 stands as a beacon for what modern turn-based RPGs can achieve. Whether or not Final Fantasy takes the plunge, the genre’s renaissance is already in motion—and players are watching closely.
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