The Next Clair Obscur Game Could Have Fans Feeling Blue, and Not for the Reason You Think

In a surprising and bittersweet turn of events, the developer behind the critically acclaimed Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Sandfall Interactive, has confirmed that a new game in the franchise is on the horizon. While this is exciting news for fans of the highly-praised RPG, it has also sparked a wave of emotional discussion and concern within the community. The potential issue isn’t about the game’s quality, but about its fundamental design. As the director of the game hinted, the next installment could be a standalone story, and that means fans might have to say a permanent goodbye to the beloved cast of Expedition 33.

The original game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which was released on April 24, 2025, has been a massive commercial and critical success, with sales surpassing 4.4 million units worldwide. It has even been heralded as a strong contender for Game of the Year 2025. A key part of its appeal lies in its deeply emotional story and the charismatic, lovable cast of characters, including Gustave, Maelle, Lune, and Sciel. The game’s narrative, which explores themes of grief, trauma, and family, is deeply intertwined with the fates of these characters, and the ending leaves little room for a direct sequel with the same party.

A Final Fantasy-Style Franchise

In a recent interview, director Guillaume Broche clarified that “Clair Obscur is the franchise name” and that “Expedition 33 is one of the stories that we want to tell in this franchise.” He also expressed a preference for moving on from previous works when “writing sequels.” This has led to the widespread belief that the next title will adopt a model similar to the Final Fantasy series: a new game with a new world, a new cast of characters, and a new story. While this approach has proven successful for other franchises, for a game where the characters were so central to the emotional impact, it’s a tough pill to swallow for many.

• The Fear of a New Cast: For many fans, the idea of a new game without the characters they have grown to love is a difficult concept. The emotional journey with the Dessendre family was the heart of Expedition 33, and the thought of starting over with an entirely new group of protagonists is a bittersweet prospect.
• The Inevitable Goodbye: The endings of Expedition 33, particularly the “Verso” ending, suggest that the main characters’ story is complete. While this provides a sense of closure, it also means that the characters and the world they inhabited, the “painted world,” are likely gone forever. A new game, disconnected from this narrative, would serve as a constant reminder of the characters fans have lost.
• A Different Thematic Tone: While Expedition 33 was a poignant story about grief, a new game could explore a completely different theme. While this could be a great thing creatively, some fans fear a sequel might lack the unique emotional signature that made the first game so special.

The Creative and Commercial Justification

Despite the emotional weight of this decision, there is a strong creative and commercial justification for this approach. By creating a new story with each installment, the developers can maintain the series’ unique identity while avoiding the potential pitfalls of a direct sequel. This strategy allows them to experiment with new gameplay genres, narrative tones, and artistic styles without being constrained by the previous game’s plot. For a small studio like Sandfall Interactive, this kind of creative freedom is invaluable.

Furthermore, a standalone franchise model is a powerful business move. It means new players can jump into any game without needing to play the previous ones, broadening the potential audience for each new release. It also allows the developers to create a series of high-impact, self-contained stories, which can be a more sustainable model than a single, multi-part narrative. The success of this approach is evident in the Final Fantasy and Persona series, which have built massive fanbases on this very premise.

What’s Next for Clair Obscur?

While the prospect of losing the original cast is sad for many, the future of the Clair Obscur franchise is bright. The new game, which is still in the early stages of development, is a chance for the developers to explore a new “painter” family or even delve into the lore of the mysterious “Writers.” The developers’ focus on new narratives and experiences means that the franchise has the potential to become a powerhouse of compelling, turn-based RPGs, much like its Japanese counterparts. While fans may be feeling a little blue at the thought of leaving the original cast behind, the creative ambition and potential for new adventures are enough to keep the community on the edge of their seats.