Since its reveal at the Xbox Game Showcase in June, the JPRG-inspired fantasy epic Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has attracted much fanfare with a stylistic take on turn-based battles. But its momentum isn’t stopping anytime soon, as a new trailer revealing the game’s voice cast and release window continues to feed into the hype.
Developed by French studio Sandfall Interaction, the forthcoming title features a stacked voice cast that includes Andy Serkis, Charlie Cox, and Ben Starr. The former two are familiar names in the film industry, best known for portraying Gollum in the Lord of the Rings movies and Daredevil in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, respectively. Serkis is introduced as the voice of Renoir, while Cox breathes life into protagonist Gustave.
Starr, a rising talent after his breakout role as Clive Rosfield in Final Fantasy XVI, plays Verso, a mysterious — and presumably villainous — figure with unknown origins. The rest of the cast has no shortage of star power either, with Shala Nyx (Cyberpunk 2077, The Old Guard) voicing the warrior Sciel, Jennifer English (Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3) as Maelle, and Kirsty Rider (The Sandman) as Lune.
Rich Keeble (Good Omens), Devora Wilde (Lae’zel in Baldur’s Gate 3), Tracy Wiles (Baldur’s Gate 3), and Maxence Cazorla (Ineffable) are also part of the roster, though their roles have yet to be announced.
As revealed in the trailer, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will be released for Xbox Series X|S and PC in Spring 2025. It won’t be an easy time for the original IP, however, as established heavyweights like Monster Hunter Wilds, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, and Avowed are all due within the same window.
Still, its Reactive Turn-based combat system should offer a fresh breath of air, combining turn-based mechanics with real-time aspects such as quick time events and timing-based actions in both offense and defense. The Belle Époque-set game follows Gustave and Lune as they attempt to stop the Paintress, whose god-like powers can kill everyone of a given age she draws in the sky.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
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