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

The indie darling that took the gaming world by storm, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, has been a resounding success since its launch in April 2025. With over 4.4 million copies sold and universal acclaim for its unique art style, innovative turn-based combat, and poignant narrative, the game has been hailed as an early contender for Game of the Year 2025. However, as the conversation turns from the base game to a potential sequel or expansion, a new rumor has emerged that could leave fans feeling “blue,” and it has nothing to do with the game’s somber themes. The next chapter in the Clair Obscur franchise may not feature the beloved main cast that players have grown to love, a move that would be a significant departure from the core experience.

According to leaks and discussions on gaming forums, the developers at Sandfall Interactive are not looking to continue the story of Gustave, Maelle, and the rest of the Expedition 33 team. Instead, the next game is rumored to focus on a different group of characters, possibly the mysterious “Writers” or another family entirely. This decision, while bold and potentially narratively sound, has the potential to disappoint a dedicated fanbase that has become deeply attached to the original cast. The game’s emotional core, which centered on the trauma and grief of the Dessendre family, resonated with millions, and moving on from them is a calculated risk that could be a tough pill for players to swallow.

Why Moving On from Expedition 33 Makes Sense Narratively

While the thought of a new cast may seem disheartening, there is a strong narrative and thematic reason for this decision. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 tells a complete story with a definitive, if heartbreaking, ending. The game’s narrative concludes the Dessendre family’s expedition and their struggle with the cycle of death created by the Paintress. The very nature of the game’s ending, particularly the ‘A Life to Paint’ and ‘The Erased’ finales, makes a direct continuation of the story difficult without undermining the emotional weight of those choices. The endings tie a neat bow on the Dessendre family’s journey, and to undo that would risk cheapening the original narrative.

Furthermore, the name of the franchise itself is Clair Obscur, with “Expedition 33” being the subtitle for the first game. This implies that the developers always intended for the series to be an anthology, with each new installment exploring a different expedition and different characters within the same world. This approach would allow Sandfall Interactive to introduce new gameplay mechanics, new art styles, and new narrative tones to suit the stories they want to tell. It would also give the franchise a chance to explore the expansive lore of the world outside of just the Paintress and the Dessendre family.

The Potential Pitfalls: Losing the Emotional Core

Despite the sound reasoning, there is a risk that this decision could alienate the very fans who made Expedition 33 a success. The game’s popularity was built on the charisma and depth of its characters—Gustave’s stoic demeanor, Maelle’s emotional struggles, and the charming personalities of the entire party. The combat mechanics, while innovative, were just one part of the experience; the true magic of the game came from the relationships between the characters and their heartbreaking journey. Losing them would be a significant blow to the emotional investment of the audience. Many players will feel a sense of grief or loss, similar to how they felt when certain plot points unfolded in the game itself. The game’s high-CPC keywords and organic growth were largely fueled by word-of-mouth praise for its story and characters, a factor that a new game would have to rebuild from scratch.

The developers are not oblivious to this. They have hinted at a desire to tell more stories within the franchise but have not confirmed if they will move on from the main cast. The challenge for the next installment will be to create characters as compelling and lovable as the original cast. The gaming world has seen many successful anthologies, but also many that failed to recapture the magic of the original. Only time will tell if Sandfall Interactive can successfully navigate this delicate transition and deliver a sequel that honors the original while forging a new path forward.