Expedition 33 Stars Unveil RPG Hero Secrets & Fan Message in Exclusive Insights

The year 2025 emerged as a landmark period for the gaming industry, particularly for players who witnessed the long-awaited releases of titles such as Hollow Knight: Silksong and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. This year also delivered highly anticipated sequels, including Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, Hades 2, and Death Stranding: On the Beach, all building upon their critically acclaimed predecessors. Indie games also saw significant success, with Blue Prince captivating players with intricate puzzles, Dispatch offering a mature superhero narrative reminiscent of classic Telltale games, and PEAK gaining recognition in the distinct 'Friendslop' genre.

However, no game was more synonymous with 2025's gaming landscape than Sandfall Interactive's breakthrough RPG, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Developed by a small team of just over 30 individuals, led by former Ubisoft employee Guillaume Broche, Expedition 33 garnered immense praise. Critics and gamers alike celebrated its innovative fusion of the traditional JRPG format with a uniquely fantastical French aesthetic. Beyond its striking presentation, the game delved into profound themes of grief, loss, and creation, proving to be much deeper than initially perceived. The narrative centers on the titular Expedition 33, a group of citizens from the city of Lumière, tasked with confronting and destroying The Paintress. This haunting entity on the horizon orchestrates a yearly 'Gommage,' an event that erases all individuals of a specific, ever-decreasing age from existence. Following its widespread acclaim, Expedition 33 triumphed at The Game Awards, securing the coveted Game of the Year title alongside eight other accolades from its thirteen nominations.

With the critical and commercial success of Expedition 33 firmly established, attention has now shifted to the future endeavors of Sandfall Interactive. Ben Starr, the voice actor for the character Verso in Expedition 33, and Jennifer English, who portrayed Maelle and won the Best Performance Game Award, addressed these questions during a Q&A session at Fan Expo Canada, moderated by Collider's Maggie Lovitt. They were asked about the possibility of a DLC expansion for their masterpiece, a new title within the Clair Obscur universe, or entirely new projects. Starr underscored the importance of patience, reminding the audience that Sandfall is a small team and games of such magnitude require considerable development time. While the team has not been entirely silent, having released a 'Thank You' update with new content, including Verso's Drafts, to celebrate their Game of the Year win, there has been no official announcement regarding major future developments. Starr expressed his belief that the team is likely working on their next project, noting their creative drive and the time required for such ambitious undertakings.

The discussion at Fan Expo Canada also provided an opportunity for Starr and English to reflect on their acclaimed voice acting careers and compare their roles. Jennifer English previously gained widespread recognition as Shadowheart in the Game of the Year-winning Baldur's Gate 3, while Ben Starr delivered a powerful performance as Clive Rosfield in Final Fantasy XVI. In Expedition 33, English voiced Maelle, a member of the doomed expedition, and Starr brought to life Verso, a mysterious, ageless stranger. These characters become pivotal to the story after a fateful encounter with Renoir (voiced by Andy Serkis) and the death of Gustav (voiced by Charlie Cox), leading the expedition across the land. The actors highlighted how different these roles were from their previous starring performances.

When asked to compare Clive and Verso, Starr described them as opposite extremes. Clive, the protagonist of Final Fantasy XVI, struggles with asking for help and carries the burden of isolation from his family. In contrast, Verso actively utilizes others for assistance, also stemming from familial abandonment. Starr noted the fundamental difference in perspective, where players experience the game through Clive's transparent narrative, whereas Verso remains enigmatic. Despite their differences, Starr believes they share enough common ground, especially concerning their parents and powerful siblings, to benefit from a hypothetical meeting. English, discussing Maelle and Shadowheart, identified differing core motivations. Maelle's primary goal is to find her chosen family and her place in the world, embodying a willingness to join the titular team despite her youth. Shadowheart, conversely, initially resists companionship, being forced into a party of fellow mindflayer victims seeking a cure. Both characters, however, share peculiar similarities, such as their hair turning white and experiencing memory issues. Ultimately, Starr humorously suggested that all four characters—Clive, Verso, Maelle, and Shadowheart—could benefit from a group therapy session to address their shared struggles. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is currently available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.