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

The turn-based RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been an undeniable breakout success, earning critical acclaim and selling over 4.4 million copies since its April 2025 launch. The game’s unique blend of active-time combat, striking art direction, and a deeply emotional, tragic narrative has cemented its place as a strong contender for Game of the Year. However, new information about the future of the Clair Obscur franchise could have a significant impact on fan expectations, leading to a wave of disappointment for those hoping for a direct sequel. The “blue” that fans may be feeling isn’t from the game’s melancholy tone, but from the potential absence of its beloved cast of characters.

In recent interviews, developer Sandfall Interactive has clarified that Clair Obscur is the franchise name, and Expedition 33 is just the first story in this universe. This is a model similar to the Final Fantasy series, where each mainline entry introduces a new world, a new cast of characters, and a new standalone story. While this is exciting news for the long-term health of the franchise, it also means that the next game will likely abandon the characters and the world that players have grown so attached to. This creative decision, while bold, could be a tough pill to swallow for fans who invested in the emotional journey of Gustave, Maelle, Lune, and the rest of Expedition 33.

Why Moving On from Expedition 33 Is a Calculated Risk

The story of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is intrinsically tied to its characters and their emotional trauma. The game’s main premise, a yearly “Gommage” (Erasure) that eliminates everyone of a certain age, is a powerful backdrop for a narrative about loss, grief, and moving on. The different endings of the game—particularly the one where the Expedition’s canvas is destroyed—leave no room for a direct continuation of their story. The characters’ journey reaches a clear and poignant conclusion, and attempting to bring them back could cheapen the emotional weight of their sacrifice. While a direct sequel would be a financial sure-thing, Sandfall Interactive appears to be more interested in preserving the artistic integrity of the original narrative.

The “Final Fantasy” model allows the developers to explore new themes and gameplay mechanics without being tied to the narrative baggage of the first game. The next Clair Obscur title could focus on a different family, a different time period, or even a different faction within the world, such as the mysterious “Writers” mentioned in the lore. This would allow Sandfall to create a fresh experience while maintaining the core themes of the franchise. However, it also means that the charming banter, the unique combat styles, and the relationships that made Expedition 33 so memorable will likely be left behind. For a game whose success was largely driven by its strong characters, this is a significant and risky change.

What the Next Game Might Be About

Without the core cast of Expedition 33, the next game will have to build a new set of relationships and a new world for players to fall in love with. The new title could:

• Explore the lore of the Writers: The “Writers” are a faction hinted at in the first game, and a sequel could focus on their role in the world and their conflict with the “Painters.” This would provide a fresh narrative perspective and a chance to introduce new types of abilities and enemies.
• Tell a completely new story: The game could be a standalone experience with no direct connection to the first, other than the shared universe. This would give the developers complete creative freedom to explore a new genre or a new time period within the Clair Obscur universe.
• Bring back some elements: While the core cast may be gone, it’s possible that the next game could feature characters that players have grown to love as side characters or NPCs, providing a small sense of continuity and a nod to the original game.

A Test for the Franchise’s Longevity

The decision to move on from a beloved cast is a major test for the longevity of the Clair Obscur franchise. The success of Expedition 33 was a perfect storm of critical acclaim and word-of-mouth marketing. The next game will not have the element of surprise, and it will be judged against the incredibly high standard set by its predecessor. Fans will have to decide whether they are loyal to the franchise’s creative vision or to the characters they grew to love. As the game continues to sell millions of copies, the pressure on Sandfall Interactive to deliver a new hit without its beloved cast is immense. This is a fascinating development in the gaming world, where the emotional connection to a game’s characters is often as important as its gameplay. The next Clair Obscur game will be a key indicator of whether the franchise can stand on its own as a series, or if its identity is too closely tied to the characters of the first expedition.