Clair Obscur: Game Director of Expedition 33 Praises Persona 5 for Best Combat Visuals and User Interface

Insights from Game Director Guillaume Broche on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

The remarkable success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has prompted Game Director Guillaume Broche to share valuable insights through a series of interviews. Notably, Broche disclosed that his journey on this project began as a creative outlet during his time at Ubisoft, where he found himself yearning for more engaging challenges. This period of reflection and creativity has sparked discussions about the potential for a port to the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.

Influences from Classic JRPGs

In a recent interview with Denfaminicogamer, Broche elaborated on how classic games, particularly within the JRPG genre, shaped his vision for Clair Obscur. He highlighted Persona 5 as a standout title, particularly for its combat visuals and user interface design. Broche stated, “I think that ‘Persona 5’ is the best game in the world in terms of battle depiction and UI creation.”

Personal Reflections on Influences

Reflecting on his upbringing, Broche mentioned, “I grew up playing games, especially JRPGs, since I was a child, ”which led him to draw inspiration from numerous titles. He noted that his experience playing a diverse range of games enabled him to refine his ideas about what made certain RPG elements compelling. His favorites that have significantly influenced his work include:

Final Fantasy series VI to X
Shadow Hearts
Suikoden
Atelier series
Lost Odyssey
Persona series

Broche emphasized that while he has attempted to incorporate elements from Persona 5, he continues to search for ways to enhance the user interface further—stressing his commitment to evolving his creative vision.

Storytelling Influences

Interestingly, while the gameplay draws heavily from JRPG mechanics, Broche revealed that the narrative construction of Clair Obscur is primarily influenced by the French novels he has read. This infusion of literary style adds a unique dimension to the game’s storytelling aspect, setting it apart in the gaming landscape.

Anticipating Awards and Recognition

Given its distinctive blend of visual artistry and narrative depth, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is shaping up to be a contender for Game of the Year. This is particularly significant now that the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI has been pushed to 2026, allowing other games like Clair Obscur to shine. For a more detailed critique, check out Francesco’s raving review, which awarded the game an impressive 9.5 out of 10.

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