“Our philosophy was to draw inspiration from JRPG mechanics while embracing our own background,” Broche said. “Since we are a French studio, it only made sense to build a French game.”
Players of Expedition 33 will find that its atmosphere, world-building, and narrative are saturated with French influence. “The experience feels quite distinct from the traditional JRPG lineage,” Broche noted. “We’re currently seeing a push in France toward defining what an ‘FRPG’ can truly be.”
Despite the French flavoring, Broche admitted to borrowing specific design philosophies from Japan beyond just turn-based combat. While the game’s vibrant UI clearly nods to the Persona series, the influences go deeper.
Broche highlighted the sound design of the Ace Attorney franchise as a major inspiration, specifically the way it provides satisfying acoustic feedback for every player action. He suggested that Western developers often overlook these subtle, tactile details that enhance the overall feel of a game.
While Broche critiques the general Western approach to minor details, fans of Remedy Entertainment might argue that some studios are just as obsessed with environmental storytelling and minutiae.
Source: gamesradar.com
