“This RPG is going to inspire the industry.” That’s the high praise coming from Shuhei Yoshida, former head of Sony Interactive, who believes the 30-person team at Sandfall Interactive may be on the verge of setting a new standard in game development with Clair Obscur.

When Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was first unveiled, few expected it to launch anytime soon. But with only 10 days left before its release on April 24, anticipation is reaching a fever pitch. The game marks the debut of Sandfall Interactive—a French studio embracing the spirit of classic Japanese RPGs with a modern twist. Since its 2024 announcement, the title has captivated hundreds of thousands, including some of the industry’s most respected voices. One such voice is Shuhei Yoshida, the former head of Sony Interactive, who has heaped praise on the game and its creators.

Yoshida appeared on the Easy Allies podcast on April 11, where he discussed a wide range of topics, including Steam’s surprise indie hit Blue Prince, the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, published by Kepler Interactive. Rather than keeping his distance, Yoshida expressed genuine admiration for what the small team has achieved. For a studio with just 30 members, producing something that looks and feels like a AAA title is, in his words, remarkable.

 “Incredible productivity” from a team of 30

Yoshida highlighted the game’s 30-hour runtime, noting that such conciseness—combined with powerful visuals and strong direction—showcases “incredible productivity.” In an industry where major RPGs often take years and require vast teams to build, Sandfall’s ability to deliver a polished experience reflects not just efficiency, but creative discipline and smart project management.

What sets Clair Obscur apart, according to Yoshida, is not only its development strategy, but its potential to shift industry norms. If the game succeeds, it could become a reference point for both indie studios and major publishers. As Yoshida put it, this RPG “might inspire others to reevaluate how they work and trust smaller teams with bold ideas.”

With its compelling vision and early acclaim from industry veterans like Yoshida, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is fast emerging as one of the most talked-about RPGs of the year. Gamers aren’t the only ones watching its launch closely—the entire industry is waiting to see if a small studio can truly shake up the status quo.

Source: 3djuegos