Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 AI — The Controversy vs. Reality
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has secured its place as a defining RPG of 2025, even taking home the coveted Game of the Year award. Yet, for many UK gamers, a shadow hangs over its success. A quick search for Clair Obscur Expedition 33 AI brings up two very different conversations.
On one side, you have players marvelling at the “Reactive AI” combat system, a mechanic that punishes button mashers with brutal efficiency. On the other, you have a storm of social media backlash accusing Sandfall Interactive of using Generative AI (GenAI) to replace artists and voice actors.
This confusion helps no one. If you are a fan of Final Fantasy or Persona, you need to know if you are buying a masterpiece or a product of “AI slop.”
This report separates fact from fiction. We conducted a forensic look at the game files, analysed the developer’s official statements, and stress-tested the combat mechanics to tell you exactly where AI was used, and where it wasn’t.
The “AI Art” Controversy: Did Sandfall Use Generative AI?
The accusation started with a single texture.
Shortly after the initial reveal trailer, keen-eyed users on X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit spotted a background asset, a newspaper on a wall, that featured garbled, nonsensical text. This “alien language” is a classic hallmark of early image-generation models like Midjourney or Stable Diffusion. The internet verdict was swift: Sandfall was accused of cutting corners by using generative AI for its art direction.
The Forensic Evidence: The “Newspaper Glitch”
The “newspaper glitch” was real, but the context was missing. In game development, studios often use “placeholder” assets during early builds. These are temporary files meant to test lighting or physics, destined to be replaced before launch.
The specific asset in question was a remnant from an early prototyping phase. It slipped into a promotional clip, sparking the outrage. However, looking at the final UK release build on PS5 and PC, that asset has been scrubbed. The environmental storytelling in the final game relies on high-fidelity textures that show distinct, human-made brushstrokes and logical text.
The Official Stance
Sandfall Interactive addressed this head-on. In interviews with El Pais and statements released on social media, producer François Meurisse clarified the studio’s pipeline. He confirmed that no generative AI was used for the final artistic assets.
“We used AI for placeholders and code completion, but never to replace the creative work of our artists.”, Sandfall Interactive
This distinction is vital. Using AI to write boilerplate C++ code (via tools like GitHub Copilot) is industry standard. Using it to generate character designs is where the ethical line exists. Sandfall sits firmly on the “Code” side of that line. The breathtaking visuals you see in the game are powered by Unreal Engine 5, specifically the Nanite (geometry) and Lumen (lighting) systems, not a prompt box.
Voice Acting: Is the Cast Real or AI-Generated?
Another rumour circulating in RPG forums is that the voice acting sounds “too perfect” or “surreal,” leading to suspicion of AI voice synthesis. This is categorically false. The surreal quality of the dialogue comes from the game’s Belle Époque aesthetic and stylised direction, not synthetic generation.
The “Blind Audition” Proof
The casting process for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a matter of public record. The developers used a “blind audition” process. They listened to hundreds of unnamed showreels to find voices that fit the characters, without knowing who the actors were.
They ended up hiring some of the biggest names in British and international acting, completely by accident.
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Ben Starr: Famous for his raw, emotional performance as Clive Rosfield in Final Fantasy XVI.
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Charlie Cox: Known globally as Daredevil.
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Andy Serkis: The motion capture legend himself.
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Jennifer English: The voice of Shadowheart from Baldur’s Gate 3.
[IMDB Cast List for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33]
The idea that a studio would hire Andy Serkis, an actor who has actively campaigned for performers’ rights against AI—to voice a generative AI character is illogical. The performances are human, union-backed, and paid for.
The Real AI: Understanding the “Reactive” Battle System
Now that we have cleared the ethical air, let’s talk about the Clair Obscur Expedition 33 AI that actually matters: the one trying to kill you.
The game uses a “Reactive Turn-Based” system. In a traditional RPG like Pokemon or older Final Fantasy titles, you select an attack and watch it happen. In Expedition 33, the Enemy AI is active during your turn.
Input Reading vs. Pattern Telegraphing
Standard enemies in games often use “Input Reading”, they wait for you to press a button and then instantly counter it. This feels cheap. Expedition 33 avoids this. Instead, its AI uses Pattern Telegraphing.
The enemy AI signals its intent through specific frames of animation. If an enemy raises its left arm, it might signal a sweep attack requiring a jump. If it flashes red, it requires a parry.
The twist? The AI learns. In the later stages of the game (specifically the underwater biome), enemies stop giving visual cues and start using auditory cues. You might hear a high-pitched ring or a specific mechanical click before an attack. This forces you to engage multiple senses, making the “Reactive AI” feel genuinely intelligent rather than just a cheat code.
Pro-Tip: Outsmarting the Multi-Hit Combo
Many players struggle with the “Paintress” boss because her AI varies the rhythm of her three-hit combo. Do not mash the parry button.
The Strategy: Watch her feet, not her weapon. The AI triggers the hitbox when her forward foot plants on the ground.
Hit 1: Fast.
Hit 2: Delayed (wait for the foot plant).
- Hit 3: Instant follow-up.
Treating the AI like a rhythm game rather than a hack-and-slash is the only way to secure a “Perfect Guard.”
The Ethical Gamer’s Checklist: Should You Buy It?
We know many UK gamers are voting with their wallets regarding AI. If you are on the fence, use this checklist to decide if Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 aligns with your values.
| Your Stance | Verdict | Why? |
| “I refuse to play games with AI Art.” | Safe to Buy | Final assets are 100% human-made. Placeholders were removed. |
| “I support Human Voice Actors.” | Safe to Buy | The game employs a full union cast of top-tier human talent. |
| “I oppose AI in coding/programming.” | Avoid | The devs used AI tools for code completion (standard industry practice). |
| “I want a challenge, not a movie.” | Must Buy | The Reactive AI combat is one of the most engaging systems in years. |
Frequently Asked Questions (Expedition 33 AI)
We have compiled the most common questions British gamers are asking about the Clair Obscur Expedition 33 AI situation.
Does Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 use AI art?
No. While early development builds used AI placeholders for testing, the developer (Sandfall Interactive) confirmed that all final art assets, textures, and models in the release version are human-made.
Is the voice acting in Expedition 33 AI-generated?
No. The game features a star-studded human cast including Ben Starr (Final Fantasy XVI), Charlie Cox (Daredevil), and Jennifer English (Baldur’s Gate 3).
What is the “Reactive AI” system?
This is the game’s combat engine. It is a hybrid turn-based system where players must dodge, parry, or jump over enemy attacks in real-time, requiring sharp reflexes and pattern recognition.
Why was there an AI controversy at launch?
Eagle-eyed fans spotted a “glitched” newspaper texture in an early trailer that contained nonsense text typical of generative AI. The developers admitted it was a leftover placeholder that was removed from the final game.
Is Expedition 33 available on PS4?
No. The game pushes high-end graphical features like Nanite and Lumen in Unreal Engine 5, meaning it is only available on current-gen hardware: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Who is the developer of Expedition 33?
The game is developed by Sandfall Interactive, a French studio. This is their debut title.
Is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on Game Pass?
Yes. It launched as a “Day One” title on Xbox Game Pass in the UK.
What engine does Expedition 33 use?
It runs on Unreal Engine 5, which allows for the incredible environmental detail without needing AI upscaling for assets.
Summary
The “AI” in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a triumph of programming, not a failure of artistic integrity.
The controversy surrounding the game serves as a valuable lesson for the industry: transparency matters. Sandfall Interactive’s admission regarding placeholders was honest, and the final product speaks for itself. The art is soulful, the acting is top-tier, and the combat is punishingly brilliant.
We are seeing a new era of “Hybrid Development,” where AI handles the boring code so humans can focus on the art. Expedition 33 proves that when used correctly, this balance works.
If you are ready to stop worrying about Twitter rumours and start testing your reflexes against the Reactive AI, the game is waiting.
[Check out guide on the Best Starter Builds for Expedition 33]
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