Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Will Be Missing One Essential Exploration Feature, Completely On Purpose

Published Mar 25, 2025

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is setting up to be one of the most anticipated RPGs of the year, featuring a dynamic cast of characters, an innovative turn-based combat system, and jaw-dropping visuals, but one common exploration feature will be notably absent. This decision was made purposefully by developer Sandfall Interactive, and the team have a fascinating reason why they intentionally left it out of the game.

As reported by Eurogamer, there will not be a mini-map present in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, breaking away from a common navigation feature in RPGs. Sandfall Interactive COO Francois Meurisse said: "There won't be mini-maps in the levels. When there's a mini-map, you can end up relying on it."

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will only feature an overworld map com to clarify the direction characters are facing or moving towards, which was added as a response to some criticisms of an earlier preview build of the game.

Players Will Discover The World Like The Main Characters

There Are Narrative And Gameplay Reasons For The Missing Mini-Map

In the game's story and gameplay details, Expedition 33 is on its way to attempt to defeat an entity known as the Paintress. When the Paintress paints a number on her monolith, everyone of that age dies. Several Expeditions have attempted to stop the Paintress. All have failed.

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Narratively, the group doesn't know what to expect since no Expedition has succeeded, so it wouldn't make much sense for the group to have access to a map. "They don't have a map because every previous expedition failed. So yes, sometimes it can be difficult to find their way," said Meurisse. While there will be an overworld map of the whole game world, the decision not to include a mini-map was made for immersion purposes. "We want players to discover the world as the expedition does it," said Meurisse.

No Mini-Map Could Be a Good Thing

A Mini-Map Would Distract From The Beautiful World And In-Game Storytelling

According to Meurisse, the game is focused on mostly linear levels with some semi-open areas, inspired by FromSoftware's level design in games like Sekiro: Shadows Twice and Dark Souls. Eliminating a mini-map will declutter the screen and UI, letting players focus on the beautiful and haunting world of the game and experience it just as Expedition 33 is. Since the game isn't open-world, a com on the main overview map may be all that is needed.

The developers have responded with action to the game's early preview criticisms about the absence of a mini-map with the addition of the overview map com, but it's clear the team want players to feel like a member of Expedition 33 at all times. That change is most likely all that is needed to help players navigate Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's world when the game launches on April 24.