Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Was Originally a Steampunk Zombie RPG
**Clair Obscur: Expedition 33** has quickly become one of 2025’s standout titles, but according to narrative lead **Jennifer Svedberg-Yen**, the game once had a completely different concept. In a recent interview, she revealed that the original version was set in **steampunk Victorian England**, featuring **zombies, aliens**, and more.
While the core gameplay—turn-based combat inspired by **Final Fantasy** and **Persona**—was already in place, the story was drastically different. The team spent six months developing this early version before a conversation with investors encouraged them to **think bigger.**. That led to director **Guillaume Broche** calling for a full reboot, ultimately giving rise to the version fans know today.
The current game’s world and tone were inspired by a painting Broche admired and a short story by Svedberg-Yen, shifting the narrative towards the hauntingly artistic Belle Époque setting that sets the game apart.
Since launch, **Clair Obscur: Expedition 33** has received updates, including combat tweaks and **Steam Deck optimisations. With strong fan support, the developers have also hinted at **DLC plans**, depending on continued demand.
The transformation from a zombie-filled steampunk tale to a rich, stylised RPG shows just how much the vision evolved—and paid off.
