Sandfall Interactive’s debut title, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, has captivated players around the globe with its mysterious atmosphere and compelling narrative. However, in Japan, the game's name has become a source of confusion — not because of its story or setting, but because of how it's pronounced.

Japanese players found the original title difficult to pronounce due to its mix of French-sounding words and unusual letter combinations. As a result, they came up with their own informal nickname for the game: Something 33.

While Western fans are busy decoding the meaning behind Clair Obscur — a term derived from the French artistic concept chiaroscuro , referring to the contrast between light and shadow — Japanese players have taken a more pragmatic approach. Struggling with the foreign sounds, they dropped the complicated parts and focused on what seemed most relevant: the number 33.

This number is far from arbitrary in the game’s lore. In the world of Clair Obscur , a mysterious entity known only as The Artist writes the number 33 every year. Anyone whose age matches that number turns to dust. The game follows a group of characters who embark on a perilous journey during the year when the ominous number appears once again — marking the 33rd expedition against The Artist.

Main image: x.com

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