Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Draws Sonic Inspiration from Anime Fire Force

Sandfall Interactive’s turn-based RPG, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, found an unexpected source of inspiration for its combat sound design: the anime adaptation of Fire Force. The development team revealed this influence during a post-mortem audio panel at the Game Developers Conference (GDC).

Finding a Unique Sonic Identity

According to Raphael Joffres, audio lead and music designer, Maxance Playez, principal sound designer, and Olivier Penchenier, technical and cinematic sound designer, the team sought to create a distinctive audio experience. Playez explained that many sounds in Fire Force “don’t try to be realistic at all, and instead they behave almost like a musical element designed to impart power, rhythm, and impact.”

This approach resonated with the team’s vision for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, particularly as they aimed to blend Japanese sound design sensibilities with European and American influences. The team was looking for a way to create weighty impacts for combos and counters within the game’s combat system.

Fire Force as a Blueprint

The anime Fire Force, based on the manga by Soul Eater creator Atsushi Ohkubo and produced by David Production, utilizes sound design that emphasizes ultra-low and deep bass, often incorporating slowdown effects to accentuate blows. This style provided a concrete example for the Clair Obscur team as they developed their own sound effects.

Playez noted that seeing this approach already implemented in Fire Force gave them the confidence to pursue a similar direction for Expedition 33. While the game was also influenced by the works of Hironobu Sakaguchi, particularly Lost Odyssey, the GDC panel highlighted the significant role of Japanese anime in shaping the game’s audio landscape.

About Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a turn-based RPG developed by Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive. The game is available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, and Microsoft Store). It features a narrative-driven adventure set in a world blending fantasy and European “Belle Époque” art styles, built using Unreal Engine 5. Sandfall Interactive was founded in 2020 in France and focuses on single-player experiences with intriguing characters and stories.