Sandfall Interactive, the studio behind the well-received title Clair Obscur, is venturing into new territory with its next project, as indicated by the creative director, Guillaume Broche.
Exploring New Directions
In a recent conversation with the Washington Post, Broche emphasized that despite Clair Obscur’s impressive milestone of over 5 million copies sold, the team is eager to break away from its established formula for their forthcoming game.
While noting that features such as the parrying system and the capability to act during an enemy’s turn were influenced by titles like Devil May Cry and the Mario & Luigi RPG series, Broche admitted that it remains uncertain if the next game will place a greater emphasis on action-oriented play.
A Token of Appreciation
Additionally, Broche shared insights about a substantial upcoming update for Clair Obscur, describing it as a gesture of gratitude towards the game’s dedicated community.
“This isn’t a full-scale downloadable content expansion,” he clarified. “We refer to it as a ‘thank you’ update to express our appreciation for the overwhelming support we’ve received.”
What to Expect in the Update
Currently under development for various platforms and lacking a confirmed release date, the update is set to introduce a new playable environment that promises “new enemy encounters and surprises to discover.”
The update will also feature late-stage boss battles, fresh costumes, and “even more surprises for fans to look forward to.”
Design Philosophy
In a separate interview in August, Broche elaborated on the integration of the parry mechanic, clarifying that its inclusion wasn’t motivated by a desire to appeal to players who favor traditional turn-based RPGs. Instead, it was a deliberate design choice focused on enhancing gameplay.
“The addition of the parry system and building a narrative experience stemmed not from avoiding potential biases but from a genuine creative decision,” he explained to Automaton.
