Before Belle Époque, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was set in a steampunk Victorian London
An old post revealed that Sandfall Interactive’s RPG was once set in a steampunk London, with zombies and aliens.
Before Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 became the Belle Époque-inspired RPG that fans know today, it was originally envisioned as a steampunk Victorian London adventure. This surprising revelation comes from an old trailer posted on Reddit in 2020, which has recently resurfaced, giving players a glimpse into the game’s early concept.
The lost London setting
The trailer, shared by game director Guillaume Broche, was part of a casting call for voice actors, stating that the game was heavy on narration and needed strong performances to bring its characters to life.
Unlike the final version, which takes place in a surreal, war-torn France, the early concept featured a steampunk Victorian England, complete with zombies, aliens, and other supernatural elements.
According to writer Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, while the gameplay mechanics remained largely the same, the story and setting were completely different in this early iteration.
Why did Sandfall Interactive change the setting?
While the steampunk London concept was intriguing, Sandfall Interactive ultimately decided to shift the game’s aesthetic to Belle Époque France, creating a more unique and visually striking world.
The final version of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been praised for its rich atmosphere, deep storytelling, and stunning art direction, proving that the change was likely for the best.
The resurfaced trailer offers a fascinating look at what Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 could have been, showing how game development often involves major creative shifts. While the steampunk London version never came to life, the final game has become a critically acclaimed RPG, proving that sometimes, change leads to something even better.
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