Clair Obscur: Expedition 33s Success Inspires Turn-Based Combat Revival in Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest Games
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, an indie RPG developed by Sandfall Interactive, has become a major hit in the gaming community. With its unique turn-based combat system and relatable characters, the game has sold an incredible 3.3 million units in its first 33 days, making it not only a commercial success but also a critical one. In fact, it has one of the highest player scores of all time on Metacritic, beating heavy hitters like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Super Mario Galaxy, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
One investment media reporter during a recent Square Enix shareholders meeting cited Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as a good reason why the next Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest games should feature turn-based combat. The last title in the mainline Final Fantasy series to feature any kind of turn-based elements was 2006's Final Fantasy 12, and many fans of the series have requested that upcoming titles return to their roots.
Square Enix isn't the only major company to have applauded Sandfall's masterpiece. CD Projekt Red recently complimented Clair Obscur's story, gameplay, and relatable characters. It's unclear if the unannounced Final Fantasy 17 will actually return to a turn-based combat system, but fans are hopeful that the developers will listen to recent feedback.
During the same meeting, it was also mentioned that Square Enix is currently hard at work on Final Fantasy 7 Remake's third and final entry, which many expect to be released sometime in 2027. As for Sandfall Interactive, the developers have confirmed that more improvements will be added to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 in the near future, and DLC is a major possibility. Additionally, a new game is in the early stages of development.
The success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has not only sparked discussions about the potential return of major turn-based games but has also shown that indie developers can create games that resonate with players on a global scale. With its unique blend of storytelling and gameplay mechanics, the game has proven to be a true masterpiece that deserves recognition and appreciation from the gaming community.
