Last year’sLies of Pwas among 2023’s greatest breakout hits, and next year’sClair Obscur: Expedition 33could follow suit. Despite the fact thatLies of Pis a soulslikeandClair Obscuris a JRPG-inspired turn-based game, they have at least one commonality that is worth pointing out, if only for what it could mean for the industry moving forward.
Something that is immediately apparent, before even playingLies of PorClair Obscur: Expedition 33, is each game’s striking visual style. Initially written off by some as aBloodborneclone due to its dark tone and steampunk influences,Lies of Pturned out to be a veritable visual feast, incorporating science-fiction, fantasy, and historical elements to paint a vivid picture of a fictional world. The stage is set forClair Obscurto do the same thing, while perhaps similar to franchises likePersonaon the surface, it’s a decidedly fresh and memorable game world, at least upon first glance.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Lies of P – Belle Epoque Classics In the Making
Lies of P and Clair Obscur Both Leverage the Belle Epoque Style
Belle Epoque is a term used to describe a cultural period of French history, which is generally considered to have begun in the late 1800s and ended in the early 1900s. The Belle Epoque era is characterized by artistic revelry and affluence, taking place during the height of French imperialism and thus reflecting the country’s flourishing economy, courtesy of rampant expansion and subjugation.Lies of P’s storymay be more influenced by Italian folklore, but its aesthetic is decidedly Belle Epoque.
The architecture, art, and fashion of the Belle Epoque era are opulence essentialized—something that is manifested inLies of P’s glossy interior spaces and chic Victorian outfits, so at odds with the game’s overall sense of decay and chaos.Clair Obscurseems to take similar notes from this era of enlightenmentand industry, blending abject dark fantasy elements with turn-of-the-century fashion, architecture, and technological advancements such as semi-automatic weaponry. Through these aesthetic details,Lies of PandClair Obscurset themselves apart from a myriad of other fantasy or steampunk properties, using specificity to their advantage.
As an aside,Lies of PandClair Obscurshare the unique similarity of being relative firsts for their respective developers: Round 8’s only development credit beforeLies of Pwas the modest MMOBless Unleashed, andClair Obscuris Sandfall Interactive’s debut title.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Will Hopefully Be More than Just a Pretty Face
It’s not hard to see why developers would be drawn to the Belle Epoque era: its frilly elegance and burgeoning technological advancements serve as fertile ground for creative new projects. ButLies of Pwasn’t considered one of 2023’s best gamesfor its aesthetic alone, even if it did help it get a foot in the door. Among other things,Lies of P’s strong combat, which includes a surprising amount of innovation within its soulslike confines, makes it a worthy competitor to just about anything in FromSoftware’s catalog—its gameplay and story are merely elevated by its unique cultural influences.
For the best chance of success,Clair Obscurwill have to deliver similar excellence. Just like howLies of Psurprised players with its deep and expressive combat, so too shouldClair Obscurimpress with inventive spins on the turn-based format, a truly exceptional narrative or, ideally, both. The games industry could be on the verge of a Belle Epoque trend, similar to how gritty military shooters were all the rage in the 2000s, but if the gameplay and storytelling standards aren’t kept high, then it could suffer the same fate as its oversaturated stylistic predecessors.
