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

In a surprising and potentially controversial move, developer Sandfall Interactive has confirmed that its critically acclaimed debut title, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, is just the beginning of a new franchise. While this news has many fans of the original game excited for a sequel, recent interviews and discussions have hinted at a creative decision that could leave players feeling “blue,” a sentiment that has nothing to do with the game’s dark fantasy setting. The potential for a completely new cast of characters in the next installment has sparked a heated debate within the community, with many players feeling a strong emotional attachment to the original party members of Expedition 33.

The first game, which was released to universal acclaim in April 2025, has been praised for its deep combat system, unique art style, and, most importantly, its emotionally resonant story centered around the characters of Gustave, Maelle, and their companions. However, in a recent interview, director Guillaume Broche confirmed that the name Clair Obscur is not just the title of a single game, but the name of a franchise. He went on to say that the goal is to tell “different stories” within the same universe, suggesting a shift away from the beloved cast of Expedition 33.

The Heart of the Matter: A New Beginning

The core of the issue lies in the two possible endings of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. One ending sees the protagonist’s party and the world they inhabit destroyed, while the other sees the characters live on but with a new, melancholic reality. Both endings are definitive and do not leave much room for a direct sequel with the same characters. This leaves Sandfall with a narrative conundrum: how to continue a story that, by all accounts, has reached a satisfying, if not tragic, conclusion for its main cast?

The answer, according to Broche, may be to move on entirely. This would mean that the next game in the series would introduce a new expedition, with a new cast of characters, in a different time period. While this approach allows the developers to explore new themes and ideas within the Clair Obscur universe, it comes at a cost. The game’s success was largely built on the player’s deep emotional connection to the party members of Expedition 33. The idea of starting over with new characters, no matter how well-written, is a tough pill to swallow for many fans who have already invested dozens of hours with the original crew.

The sentiment is being widely discussed across forums and social media. “If they don’t bring back Gustave and the others, I’ll feel cheated,” one fan wrote. “The game was so good because of their journey. I don’t want to play with strangers.” This feeling is not just about nostalgia; it’s about the emotional investment players have in the story. The characters’ struggles and triumphs were central to the experience, and the possibility of a sequel that doesn’t continue their story is causing a great deal of apprehension.

A Nod to Other Gaming Franchises

Sandfall Interactive’s decision to turn Clair Obscur into an anthology series, rather than a direct sequel, is not unprecedented. It echoes the approach of other successful franchises like the Final Fantasy series, where each main installment tells a new, self-contained story. This model allows for creative freedom and prevents a series from becoming stale by being tied to a single narrative. However, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has a far more intimate and personal narrative than many of the games that follow this model, making the potential change all the more jarring for its fanbase.

The developers are in a difficult position. They have a successful debut, and they want to continue building on that success. But they also understand the deep connection that players have to the first game’s story and characters. Whether they decide to move forward with a completely new cast or find a creative way to reintroduce the old one remains to be seen. In a way, the developers have created a difficult choice for themselves, a parallel to the impossible choices they gave players in the original game’s ending.

As the conversation continues, it is clear that the future of the Clair Obscur franchise is a major topic of interest in the gaming world. While the prospect of new stories and new characters is exciting for some, the emotional weight of leaving the original cast behind is a real concern for many others. Only time will tell if Sandfall Interactive can navigate this tricky situation and create a new game that lives up to the high standards of its predecessor, and one that doesn’t leave its loyal fanbase feeling “blue.”