Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Director Calls Lost Odyssey a “Powerful, Emotional” Inspiration
Hey PakGamers, ever had a game leave such a deep mark on you that it influences your own creative ventures? Well, that’s exactly the story with Guillaume Broche, the director of the highly anticipated Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. He’s been showering praise on a true, albeit often overlooked, gem from the Xbox 360 era: Lost Odyssey, a game crafted by none other than Hironobu Sakaguchi, the legendary creator of Final Fantasy.
Broche recently sat down to discuss the classic titles that shaped his gaming journey and, by extension, his work. It’s clear that old-school JRPGs are a massive inspiration for him, but he delved particularly deep into Lost Odyssey. This title, released after Sakaguchi moved on from Square Enix, was essentially a Final Fantasy game in spirit and execution, yet it never quite got the spotlight it deserved as a masterpiece of the genre.
“It really was an exceptional game,” Broche emphasized. He acknowledged its old-school linearity and random battles, features that some critics at the time found dated. “Everyone said, ‘What is this game from another era?’… So it got torn apart even though the game is exceptional.” Despite the initial reception, Broche holds it in incredibly high regard, especially for its narrative.
“The story is amazing. It’s the last game that made me cry,” he revealed, underscoring its profound emotional impact. While he admitted the villain wasn’t the strongest point, he wholeheartedly recommends it to anyone who loves Final Fantasy. For Broche, Lost Odyssey wasn’t just fun; it was an emotional journey that stuck with him. He often revisits its music and memories, describing it as “truly one of the most powerful, emotional experiences of my life as a gamer.”
What truly set Lost Odyssey apart for Broche was its ambition. It stood as one of the last major turn-based games that combined realistic graphics with a dramatic, sprawling narrative. While we’ve seen a resurgence of turn-based RPGs lately, like Octopath Traveler, Persona, and even Yakuza, few have attempted that specific blend of high-fidelity visuals and profound storytelling since Lost Odyssey.
And that’s precisely the void Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 aims to fill. Broche explained, “It holds a special place in my heart because, for me, Clair Obscur is sort of the successor to that in a way – it was my favorite kind of game, and nobody was making them anymore.” His dedication to reviving this cherished genre style is clear, promising an experience that aims to capture the same magic and emotional depth of those beloved classics.
If Broche’s passionate words have piqued your interest, Lost Odyssey is still easily accessible! You can grab digital copies on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, or even find physical discs for a good price. It’s a fantastic way to experience the inspiration behind what could be the next big turn-based epic.