This article contains spoilers for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s Act 1 finale (and a small scene from one of the game’s endings). If you’ve not reached those points yet, bookmark this page, turn around, and come back later.
Summary
If you’ve playedClair Obscur: Expedition 33, and I hope you have if you’ve read past that spoiler warning, then you’ll have probably had your heart broken bythe end of the game’s first act.
Until this point,Gustave, for all intents and purposes, had seemed like the game’s protagonist, until he unceremoniously wasn’t. Act 1 ends as Gustave is shockingly killed by Renoir, paving the way forVersoto fill his shoes in the leading role.
While a moment like this could have comfortably been written in later for shock value, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lead writer Jennifer Svedberg-Yen told TheGamer this decision was made from the outset, outlining the reasons for offing poor Gustave.
Speaking to TheGamer followingthe success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Svedberg-Yen said, “We knew that from the beginning, but I think in general, like with a lot of these plot points, it’s about what makes sense in the story and what makes sense in terms of the evolution of the characters.
“What makes sense in terms of what each of the different characters is trying to achieve and when they intersect, what will happen, and it’s also a bit about thinking what will push the characters further along in their emotional journey. What will really make sense within the broader theme of what we’re trying to achieve.”
It’s about what makes sense in the story and what makes sense in terms of the evolution of the characters.
In a world where revival is a possibility, using Revive Tints, Svedberg-Yen says this was never an option with Gustave. However, she jokes, “Well, you do see him in one of the endings, so you can kind of still say hi.”
You can readour full interview with Svedberg-Yen right now, in which the writer also discusses how the game almost had zombies and aliens, working with Andy Serkis and Charlie Cox, and future plans for the Expedition 33 team.
