In a gaming world where action-packed battles and cinematic spectacle seem to dominate the conversation, one indie title is making a bold case for tradition—with a twist. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a stylish new JRPG from a small French studio, is turning heads and reigniting the age-old debate among Final Fantasy fans: has turn-based combat ever truly gone out of fashion?
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A French Indie Hit With Global Buzz
It’s not every day that a debut game from a 30-person studio in Montpellier grabs global attention. But within just three days of its release, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 surpassed one million copies sold—excluding Game Pass downloads. That kind of momentum doesn’t happen by accident.
Built by Sandfall Interactive, this visually stunning RPG has been hailed by fans and critics alike for breathing new life into the turn-based combat system that defined an era of classic JRPGs. As someone who grew up playing Final Fantasy IX on a hand-me-down PlayStation 2, I couldn’t help but feel a wave of nostalgia the first time I watched gameplay footage. And judging by the reactions online, I’m not alone.
Social media platforms have been flooded with praise, and players are pointing fingers—some lovingly—at Square Enix, wondering why Clair Obscur seems more like classic Final Fantasy than recent Final Fantasy games.
Is Turn-Based Combat Really Obsolete?
This isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s about design philosophy. In recent years, the Final Fantasy series has leaned heavily into real-time action. Final Fantasy XVI, for example, plays more like Devil May Cry than a traditional RPG. While this shift has drawn new fans, it’s also left a portion of the old guard feeling alienated.
Enter Expedition 33—a modern game that proudly embraces turn-based strategy, but with fresh, kinetic elements that keep things engaging. It’s a reminder that slowness doesn’t mean dullness, and tactical depth can be just as thrilling as button-mashing combos.
One user on X (formerly Twitter), @ShirrakoGaming, stirred discussion by calling for a return to turn-based systems in future Final Fantasy titles. They weren’t alone. Dozens echoed the sentiment, and pointed to Metacritic scores as evidence. Some of the highest-rated games in recent years—Persona 5 Royal (95), Baldur’s Gate 3 (96), and now Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (92)—all rely on turn-based combat at their core.
Clearly, there’s still a huge audience craving thoughtful, deliberate gameplay.
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Built on Legacy, Inspired by the Greats
In an interview with RPGsite, game producer François Meurisse shared the philosophy behind the design of Expedition 33. From the outset, he and his team wanted a game that paid tribute to classics like Final Fantasy VIII, IX, and X. That influence is felt not only in the combat system but in the sweeping score, character design, and pacing.
But the team didn’t just borrow ideas—they modernized them. The combat in Clair Obscur isn’t passive. Inspired by the reflex-based mechanics of Sekiro, players are encouraged to dodge and parry during turns, blending the thoughtfulness of old-school systems with the intensity of modern gameplay. “We wanted something reactive,” Meurisse explained, “something that keeps the player fully engaged at all times.”
Will Square Enix Take Notes?
Whether Square Enix will respond to the shift in fan sentiment is anyone’s guess, but it wouldn’t be the first time that innovation came from the outside. Clair Obscur has proven that turn-based RPGs still have a seat at the table—and fans are here for it.
For me, Expedition 33 feels like catching up with an old friend—familiar but evolved, respectful of the past yet looking to the future. If this is the beginning of a turn-based renaissance, I say bring it on.