Recently, Shuhei Yoshida, former President of Sony PlayStation Worldwide Studios, shared behind-the-scenes stories from the early development of "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33" in an interview. Two years before the game's release, Yoshida played the demo and highly praised its turn-based combat system that incorporates timing-based mechanics. However, at the time, the industry widely labeled turn-based JRPGs as "outdated." He worried that the term "turn-based RPG" would deter many potential players, so he advised the development team to avoid using that name directly and instead redesign the promotional messaging for the combat system.
The developers of "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33" adopted this advice, marketing the gameplay as "reactive turn-based combat" to highlight timing elements like blocking and dodging, thereby downplaying the stereotypical image of traditional turn-based systems. Upon release, the game achieved critical and commercial success, winning numerous Game of the Year awards and becoming a phenomenal hit.
Yoshida remarked that looking back on the situation now feels quite interesting. Following the massive success of "Expedition 33," developer Sandfall Interactive has been receiving a steady stream of new turn-based RPG proposals, indicating a complete reversal in market trends.
Although turn-based RPGs are currently enjoying a surge in popularity, no new title released in 2026 has yet matched the influence of "Baldur's Gate 3" or "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33." Yoshida used this opportunity to remind the industry that publishers should not blindly chase current market trends. Many games have development cycles spanning several years, and by the time a project is completed, popular trends may have already shifted.