What really goes on behind the scenes as a promising new studio races toward the finish line of its most ambitious project? In a rare and revealing look, a new Backstage video documentary takes us inside Sandfall Interactive during the final 24 hours of development on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33-a turn-based RPG blending dynamic combat with Belle Époque-inspired fantasy. With launch day just two weeks away, we joined the thirty-person Montpellier team to see how they handle the high-wire act of shipping one of the year’s most anticipated games.
For months, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has captured attention with its painterly art style, inventive combat, and evocative world-building. But what’s it like to actually complete such a bold project in a tight-knit studio? Our documentary, available at the top of this article, gives a front-row seat to long days, passionate debates, and those crucial late-stage decisions as Sandfall Interactive polishes every detail before release.
Set in an alternate France brimming with painterly decadence and clockwork magic, Clair Obscur stands out for its distinctive setting and a combat system that asks players to do more than just select attacks from a menu. “Dynamic turn-based” isn’t mere marketing: players swap between real-time input and classic tactics, dodging and parrying for extra impact-a twist reminiscent of what made genre outliers like Paper Mario memorable, but with a moody, art-forward edge.
Our visit to Sandfall Interactive’s manor headquarters in Montpellier paints a picture of a studio at a unique crossroads. The team’s small size has fostered tight collaboration, but finishing a game of this scope brings distinctive pressure—especially when accolades are already arriving, with early reviews scoring it 18/20 and critics calling it among the year’s best. There’s palpable pride, but also anxiety: will launch day go smoothly? Can every puzzle and performance hit the mark in time?
The documentary captures everything from last-minute bug fixes and art tweaks to celebratory takeout and a genuine sense of camaraderie. If you’ve ever wondered what “crunch” looks like outside massive AAA studios, Sandfall’s experience is refreshingly personal, with team members weighing quality against deadlines in real-time. For a studio still building its reputation, Expedition 33 could be a career-defining launch—one that shows French indie talent can tackle ambitious ideas head-on.
Yet the journey isn’t without risk. The hybrid combat may intrigue genre fans, but how it’s received by a wider audience remains to be seen—especially on a crowded spring release calendar. Still, Sandfall’s blend of bold art direction and mechanical innovation makes Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 one of this season’s most unique RPG prospects.
TL;DR: The Backstage video documentary lifts the curtain on Sandfall Interactive’s final sprint to launch Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a turn-based fantasy RPG with dynamic combat and Belle Époque flair—arriving April 23 on PS5, Xbox Series, and PC with Game Pass.
Source: Sandfall Interactive via GamesPress