How Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s Search for Immersion Could Be Its Downfall

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In the upcoming Expedition 33 for Clair Obscur, there won’t be a map provided at launch. The developers at Sandfall Interactive are so certain about their level designs that they aim to create a more engaging experience by taking out a fundamental element common in today’s gaming – the minimap.

If executed correctly, it might offer a genuinely novel encounter. However, based on some early previews, the absence of a map could potentially cause difficulties when the game launches in late April.

In an interview with Eurogamer, it was verified that a minimap would not be featured in the game. Sandfall Interactive’s COO, Francois Meurisse, explained that many players often overly depend on minimaps when they are present in games with extensive exploration.

We want players to discover the world as the expedition does it. They don’t have a map because every previous expedition failed. So yes, sometimes it can be difficult to find their way

This idea is quite grand in scope. Many contemporary games featuring open or semi-open environments typically include a miniature map as part of their user interface. Frequently, players simply place markers for the main goal and overlook the expansive landscapes carefully designed by the developers, which can be unfortunate.

Absolutely, these useful tools aren’t compulsory; in fact, several games provide an option to disable them. Many fans of Zelda series, like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, argue that the gaming experience is enhanced without a map filling up the user interface. Not only does it create a cleaner, more minimalistic look, but the world design encourages exploration, so not having an exact location marker adds to the discovery aspect, making it more immersive.

If the exploration in Expedition 33 is not well-executed, lacking a map could hinder its progress. To illustrate this, let me use Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth as an example. I adore the vastness of its world and Square Enix’s RPG gameplay, but certain areas are like labyrinths, filled with frustrating passageways that transform exploration into a tedious task. Navigating Gongaga’s jungle without additional assistance would be nearly impossible. The built-in map in Rebirth sometimes adds to the confusion instead of alleviating it.

Regarding Clair Obscur’s Expedition 33, it’s clear they aren’t aiming for a similar feel as Rebirth or Breath of the Wild. Instead, I suspect the game size will be more compact compared to both titles. However, it’s large enough that a visual guide could prove helpful for players navigating through it.

In a striking fashion, Sandfall Interactive boldly displays their inspirations through the game, featuring vibrant turn-based combat with interactive commands, a vividly hued environment, and an ancient JRPG-style overworld, all seamlessly combined to create an aesthetically pleasing experience.

In Expedition 33 of Clair Obscur, a compass will be included, ensuring some means for navigation. I genuinely hope the developers successfully capture the exploration aspect as it’s one of my most eagerly awaited games of this year. Discovering that wandering through such stunning landscapes becomes monotonous would undoubtedly be one of the biggest letdowns of 2025.

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2025-03-25 02:42