Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Creator Opens Up About Its Poignant Conclusion
Guillaume Broche, the creative mind behind the French JRPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, has revealed his deep affinity for truly sad stories. This personal preference, he explains, shaped the game's ending, ensuring it offers no easy answers or simple resolutions.
Designing for an 'Impossible Choice'
In a recent interview with YouTube channel Behind The Voice, Broche shared that his original vision for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was to present players with an 'impossible choice'—one without a clear right or wrong path, only complex emotions and lasting consequences. This design philosophy is central to the game's impactful finale.
Warning: Major spoilers for the endings of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 follow. Proceed with caution if you plan to play the game.
Depending on the decision made in the game's final moments, the story concludes in one of two distinct ways. Players can either choose to honor the will of the drawn version of Verso, forcing the Dessandre family to confront their grief head-on, or allow Maelle to continue living within a fabricated world. Broche emphasizes that both endings were developed concurrently and intentionally leave players with a bittersweet feeling.
What makes these endings particularly striking is their delivery. They unfold without a single line of dialogue, relying solely on music, animation, and character expressions to convey the narrative. This silent approach, according to Broche, is crucial for player interpretation.
“The absence of dialogue leaves room for interpretation—everyone can put something of their own into the ending, and, as I see it, that's truly important. Moreover, it's something only possible in video games—to give the player a choice. And for us, that was fundamentally important. It's an impossible choice, really. Everything is too complicated; in both endings, there’s a lot of good and a lot of bad.”
– Guillaume Broche
Broche acknowledges that this narrative decision was a considerable risk, but ultimately, he believes it succeeded in making Clair Obscur a deeply thought-provoking and emotional experience. He notes the rarity of games conveying such profound emotions primarily through acting, music, and visuals rather than dialogue, especially in their conclusions.
“I think it was a very brave decision that could have completely failed. I'm glad it didn't.”
– Guillaume Broche
Experience the Bittersweet Journey
The poignant and engaging Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is currently available on PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and through Game Pass. The game also features text localization for Russian players. For a limited time, until August 12th, the deluxe edition was available on Valve’s platform with a 10% discount, positioning it as a strong contender for 'Game of the Year' discussions.
This unique approach to storytelling means that players who complete Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 are left not just with a conclusion, but with a lingering sense of reflection and a deeper understanding of the complex choices inherent in loss and reality. It truly delivers on its promise of an 'impossible choice' that stays with you long after the credits roll.
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