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

In a year dominated by major releases and highly anticipated sequels, the breakout success story of 2025 has been the stunning turn-based RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Praised for its unique art style, innovative combat, and emotionally resonant story, the game has sold over 4.4 million units worldwide, solidifying its place as a potential Game of the Year contender. With a hit on their hands, it’s no surprise that developer Sandfall Interactive has confirmed that Clair Obscur is not just a single title but the name of a new franchise. However, this news, while exciting, has sparked a quiet but intense debate among fans who are concerned about the future of the series for a deeply emotional reason: the potential absence of the beloved characters from the first game.

Recent interviews with the developers have confirmed that they are already in the “artistic research” stage for the next installment. However, they have also hinted that “Clair Obscur is the franchise name,” and “Expedition 33 is one of the stories that we want to tell in this franchise.” This seemingly innocuous statement has led many fans to believe that the next game will not be a direct sequel, but a new story with a new cast of characters. This has created a sense of bittersweet sadness in the community, as players have grown deeply attached to the characters of Gustave, Maelle, Lune, Sciel, Verso, and Monoco, and the thought of a new adventure without them is a tough pill to swallow.

The Emotional Core of Expedition 33 and the Fear of Moving On

The main reason for this fan apprehension lies in the very heart of what made Expedition 33 a critical and commercial success. The game’s narrative is built on a powerful, emotional foundation of trauma, loss, and the journey to find hope in a dying world. The themes are deeply personal and are explored through the relationships and bonds between the members of the titular expedition. Players have spent hours with this cast, witnessing their growth, their struggles, and their triumphs, making the finality of their journey at the end of the first game incredibly impactful. The endings of Expedition 33, while providing a sense of closure, also left little room for the companions to return in a straightforward sequel, as one of the major endings involves the “gommage” or erasure of all living creatures within the painted world.

Fans on Reddit and other forums are expressing their grief over the potential loss of these characters. The fear is that the developers, in their pursuit of a wider franchise, will abandon the very elements that made the first game so special. A new game with a new cast would be an entirely different experience, and while it could be brilliant in its own right, it wouldn’t be the continuation of the story that so many people have come to love. This is a unique problem for a new franchise, as it’s not about gameplay or technical issues but about the emotional investment players have in the story and its characters. It’s a testament to the game’s excellent writing and character development, but it also creates a significant challenge for the developers.

A Look at the Future: New Stories, New Possibilities

Despite the anxiety, there is also a sense of excitement for what the Clair Obscur franchise could become. If the next game features a new cast, it could allow Sandfall Interactive to explore different aspects of their rich world. For example, they could focus on the “Writers,” the rivals to the “Painters,” or delve into the history of the “Paintress” and the origins of the “Gommage.” A new cast also provides an opportunity for a fresh narrative tone, moving away from the melancholic themes of loss and grief to something more optimistic or adventurous. The developers could even branch out into different genres, as the core concept of a world created through painting and art could be adapted into a variety of gameplay styles.

However, the risk remains. It is an industry-wide practice for a hit IP to be expanded into a franchise, but it often comes with the risk of diluting the core experience. The fear is that a new Clair Obscur game will be a “media product” designed to capitalize on the first game’s success rather than a genuine creative endeavor. The unique, personal, and artistic feel of Expedition 33 is a rare find, and fans are worried that the next title will lose that magic in a move toward mass-market appeal. As the game continues to receive universal acclaim, the pressure on the developers to deliver a follow-up that satisfies both the core fanbase and a new audience will be immense.

As the final saga of Expedition 33‘s post-launch updates continues, and fans await the next official announcement, the quiet debate over the future of the franchise will rage on. The next game will either be a bold new chapter that lives up to its predecessor’s legacy or a poignant reminder of what made the first game a one-of-a-kind classic. Only time will tell if fans will be happy with the direction, or if they will be left feeling blue for all the right reasons.