After the huge success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, its Game Director, Guillaume Broche, sat down for several interviews to talk about the game’s creation. He shared that his time at Ubisoft left him feeling unchallenged, which inspired him to start working on this new project. He also hinted at the possibility of a Nintendo Switch 2 release for the game.

In a recent interview with Japanese outlet Denfaminicogamer, Broche discussed the impact of classic JRPGs on his work. Among these, he highlighted Persona 5 as the standout title when it comes to combat visuals and UI design.

As a child, I spent a lot of time playing games, particularly JRPGs, so it’s hard to pinpoint exactly which elements influenced me. Over time, I developed my own ideas about what made turn-based RPGs appealing. I wanted to blend my lifelong love of JRPGs with something fresh and unique. While it’s impossible to list every influence, some key games include Final Fantasy VI to X, Shadow Hearts, Suikoden, Atelier series, Lost Odyssey, and the Persona series.

In particular, Persona 5 is unparalleled in its battle presentation and UI design. The dynamic camera shifts during gameplay left a deep impression on me, making it feel like watching a movie. I drew inspiration from this and adapted it to my own vision for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, adding my own creative touches. Despite this, I feel there’s still more to learn from Persona 5, especially in terms of UI, so I’m continuing to refine that aspect.

It’s worth noting that while the game’s mechanics are inspired by JRPGs, the storytelling approach is shaped by French literature, giving it a distinct narrative style.

With Grand Theft Auto VI’s release delayed until 2026, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is poised to be a strong contender for Game of the Year. For a deeper look, you can read Francesco’s glowing review, where he gave the game a 9.5/10 score.