Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Director Enjoys Both Action and Turn-Based Games Equally

In the gaming world, preferences can often spark debates, but Guillaume Broche, the creative director of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, takes a different stance. Despite the overwhelming success of his latest turn-based game, he doesn’t play favorites between action-packed combat and strategic turn-based battles. For Broche, it’s all about the quality of the game itself.

In a recent chat, Broche shared his thoughts on RPG combat styles, revealing that he has an appreciation for both genres. He mentioned enjoying the sword-swinging mechanics of Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, while also praising the often-overlooked turn-based classic, Lost Odyssey. “Honestly, I don’t have a favorite,” he noted. “It all depends on the game. There are times when I crave a turn-based experience, and other times, I’m all about action.”

What Broche emphasizes is that the heart of a game lies in how effectively it executes its combat style, whether that means hacking away in a frenzied action sequence or carefully plotting your next move in a turn-based setup. “When I dive into a game, I’m not too concerned about if it’s turn-based or action; I just want the combat to feel solid and the story and characters to be engaging,” he explained. He likens the choice to picking between pizza and sushi—both are delightful in their own right.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 features classic turn-based battles, but with a unique twist that demands quick reflexes. Players must parry attacks and dodge powerful blows, striking a balance that has contributed to the game’s impressive accolades.

As for what’s next for Sandfall Interactive, Broche hinted at a more adventurous approach for their upcoming project. After the lengthy development process of Expedition 33, he’s looking forward to unleashing their creativity. “We want to dream big again and really let our imaginations run wild,” he said, expressing excitement for the future.

Interestingly, Broche prefers Japanese RPGs over titles like Skyrim and Fallout, citing their linear narratives as a way to create stronger stories and more memorable characters. It seems like this director knows exactly what he wants when it comes to great gaming experiences!