PS Boss warns: Expedition 33 might be overlooked as a Turn-Based RPG

Before a game becomes a critical darling, it often faces the silent, sometimes insidious, barriers of expectation. For developers aiming to introduce innovative mechanics to the mainstream, the challenge isn’t just creating a great game; it’s navigating the cultural language that surrounds it.

This tension was recently highlighted by former PlayStation leader Shuhei Yoshida, who offered sharp advice to the team behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. While the game was a clear success, Yoshida warned the developers against labeling it a “turn-based RPG,” suggesting that such a description alone could cause players to overlook the game’s true merits.

Yoshida, known for his deep understanding of the industry, pointed out that the perceived label carried a certain stigma within the gaming community. He observed that even though the game was incredibly well-made, framing it solely through the lens of “turn-based RPG” mechanics might unintentionally filter the audience away from the experience.

The brilliance of the game lay in its unique blend of gameplay: it combined traditional turn-based JRPG mechanics with real-time action inputs, drawing inspiration from classics like The Legend of Dragoon. This hybrid approach offered a novel experience that defied easy categorization.

Yoshida’s concern was rooted in ensuring that the game’s exceptional quality was not overshadowed by existing genre expectations. He feared that the terminology could inadvertently position the game as outdated, preventing it from achieving the widespread recognition it deserved.

In response to this consideration, the team chose a path that emphasized the unique gameplay rather than the genre tag. They shifted their marketing and communication to highlight the “reactive turn-based battles,” allowing the game’s innovative mechanics to speak for themselves. This creative pivot proved to be a smart move, focusing attention on the action and interactivity rather than relying on a potentially restrictive genre label.

The results spoke volumes. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 garnered massive acclaim, including a 9/10 review from IGN and numerous wins at major awards like The Game Awards, BAFTA, and DICE. Its success demonstrated that truly original experiences can triumph, regardless of established genre conventions.

Beyond the game itself, the story of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 became a significant commercial success, cementing its place as a massive launch on Xbox Game Pass. This success showed that when development prioritizes genuine innovation and strong design, the market will reward it handsomely.

Ultimately, the experience underscores a broader trend in the industry: that successful innovation often requires developers to challenge established norms. As Yoshida noted, this willingness to redefine boundaries can lead to exciting new developments, and it has spurred a noticeable increase in pitches for new turn-based RPGs across the industry.