Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Success Highlights Ongoing Bias Against Turn-Based RPGs

What's Happening?

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a turn-based RPG, has achieved significant success, yet its director, Guillaume Broche, notes that real-time action games still dominate the market. Despite the game's positive reception, Broche points out a persistent bias against turn-based RPGs, which were once popular but have seen a decline with the rise of real-time combat systems. This shift began around the Xbox 360 era, as open-world games gained popularity. While turn-based combat has seen a resurgence in PC gaming, major RPGs continue to favor real-time mechanics.

Why It's Important?

The success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 amidst a market favoring real-time action games underscores a potential shift in gaming preferences. This could encourage developers to explore turn-based mechanics, offering diverse gameplay experiences. The ongoing bias against turn-based RPGs reflects broader industry trends and consumer preferences, impacting game development strategies. As turn-based games gain traction, they may influence future RPG designs, potentially leading to a more balanced market between real-time and turn-based games.