Set in a haunting, Belle Époque-inspired world, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 follows the members of Expedition 33 on a quest to defeat the Paintress, a mysterious entity who awakens yearly to paint a number on her monolith, erasing everyone of that age. This year, the number is 33, signaling a dire mission for the team. The game blends turn-based combat with real-time mechanics, allowing players to dodge, parry, and counter while chaining combos and targeting enemy weak points.

Its oil painting-like art style, gripping narrative, and a voice cast featuring talents like Charlie Cox, Ben Starr, and Jennifer English have drawn comparisons to JRPG giants like Final Fantasy and Persona. Developed by a small team of about 30 former Ubisoft developers, the game’s polish and ambition have exceeded expectations for a first-time studio.

Kepler Interactive announced on April 27 that the game surpassed 1 million copies sold across all platforms, a milestone reached in just three days. This figure, which excludes Game Pass players, highlights the game’s broad appeal, especially at its accessible 49.99€ price point. Its availability on Game Pass, Epic Games Store, and consoles likely pushed its total player count far higher.

According to SteamDB, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 peaked at 121,422 concurrent players on April 27 surpassing the all-time peaks of major RPGs like Metaphor: ReFantazio (85,961), Persona 3 Reload (45,002), and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (46,161). Starting with 51,922 concurrent players on launch day, the game saw steady growth, hitting 98,000 by April 26 and crossing 115,000 before reaching its record high.

Critical reception has been a driving force behind the game’s success. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 boasts a 92 Metacritic score, tying with Blue Prince as 2025’s highest-rated game, and a 91 on OpenCritic. Looking ahead, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s trajectory suggests more milestones to come. Its high ratings, growing player base, and critical acclaim position it as a Game of the Year contender alongside titles like Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.

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Founded in 2018 by Mathieu Girard, Tactical Adventures quickly made a name for itself with the release of Solasta: Crown of the Magister in 2021. The game was praised for its deep tactical gameplay, faithful adaptation of Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition rules, and immersive storytelling. The studio recently unveiled Solasta II during The Game Awards in December.

Girard, CEO of Tactical Adventures, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating that Kepler’s values align closely with those of his studio. He emphasized that this collaboration will help amplify the launch of Solasta II while allowing Tactical Adventures to maintain its production and editorial independence.

Alexis Garavaryan, CEO of Kepler Interactive, welcomed Tactical Adventures into the collective, praising the studio’s commitment to authenticity and its ability to create a standout tactical RPG that resonated deeply with its community. He highlighted the importance of aligning values and elevating the entire group, ensuring that Tactical Adventures’ unique perspective and expertise will contribute to Kepler’s mission.

Solasta II is currently in development for PC and is expected to enter Early Access on Steam in 2025.

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Amid this uncertainty, Kepler Interactive, a British publisher known for its unique portfolio, is doubling down on the traditional PC and console markets. With games like the driving survival title Pacific Drive, the soccer sim Rematch, the Metroid-inspired Ultros, and the upcoming French-inspired fantasy Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Kepler is betting that unique, passion-driven games can still find an audience, even in a saturated marketplace.

Matthew Handrahan, Kepler Interactive’s senior portfolio manager, acknowledges the “pretty frightening picture” painted by current market trends. However, he believes that the focus on older games’ popularity overshadows an important truth: a dedicated audience of players still actively seeks out new games.

“The relatively small percentage of people that buy new games, I do think actually buy quite a lot of new games each year,” Handrahan explained in a recent interview. While not every player will buy every game, Kepler’s strategy is to target different pockets of players with unique interests. The publisher’s bet is that even in tough times, there’s an audience for innovative and distinctive games.

Kepler’s publishing strategy relies heavily on what Handrahan calls a “gut feeling” approach. The team looks for games that excite them and that they believe will resonate with players. While budget and production viability are still considered, the emphasis is on passion and vision. Handrahan highlights the importance of “real specificity” in a game’s concept. For example, Sifu, Kepler’s martial arts action title, stood out because it aimed to emulate the style of Hong Kong action cinema, from the martial arts moves to the camera work and editing.

He points to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Pacific Drive as other examples of games with strong, specific visions. “It’s a case of starting with an experience they wanted to create and then working their way to the gameplay that’s going to deliver that,” he said. While Kepler champions unique visions, Handrahan acknowledges the importance of market realities. He cautions developers about oversaturated genres like Metroidvanias, first-person narrative games, and 2.5D side-scrollers, where success often depends on low budgets and small teams.

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The new division consists of seven staff members specializing in editorial, sourcing, and publishing. It operates separately from Microids’ indie branch, which was established in 2017. Microids has a history of successful collaborations, working on physical editions with companies like Kepler Interactive (Sifu) and Forever Entertainment (House of the Dead).

Microids CEO Stéphane Longeard expressed excitement about the new partnerships, stating that the division will help strengthen relationships with both new and long-standing collaborators. Ben Forrester of Kwalee added: “We are thrilled to partner with Microids to bring The Precinct to a wider audience,” noting Microids’ expertise in physical distribution.

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The free content update for Pacific Drive includes new features such as the highly anticipated Photo Mode and quality of life improvements, including the PS5 Performance Mode for a smoother experience on PlayStation. Additionally, a paid cosmetic pack is available for $4.99 / €4.99, featuring items themed around a popular friendly dumpster.

Pacific Drive is currently available for PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store.

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As Nor, players will work together with a mysterious, yet powerful, foxlike god known as Enki, to seek revenge against the formidable gods that threaten to destroy the lands of Kian. From Uru, the great winged guardian of the door to the Great Below, to the multi-armed Rammuha who despises and fears the explosive power of gunpowder, Nor will need to unleash her full arsenal of axe blows, flintlock weaponry, and Enki’s devastating magic to overcome the odds and restore peace to the world of Kian.

PC Requirements

Minimum:

Recommended:

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For the uninitiated, it's a very impressive project by indie studio A44 Games in collaboration with publisher Kepler Interactive. Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn will be an action RPG game with soulslike elements in which the Gods have been released and the wars between them have put people on the brink of extinction, and Nor Vanek, a member of the coalition army, embarks on a revenge campaign. Throughout the adventure, she will be accompanied by a strange creature with magical powers named Enki, while participating in great battles against the Gods, exploring a dangerous big world, and mastering various weapons, magic and many other tools. 

A demo is currently available on Steam. It’s important to note that progress made in the demo will not carry over to the base game, but it offers a great opportunity to experience the gameplay before committing to a purchase.

Digital Deluxe Edition:

• This edition includes the full game along with additional DLC cosmetic content for the character Nor. It’s a great option for those who want some extra in-game customization right from the start.

Physical Deluxe Edition:

• Available for Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 through select retailers via Maximum Entertainment, this edition is perfect for collectors. It includes the full game and an exclusive reversible coversheet.

• Additional digital perks include a soundtrack, artbook, and in-game items like DLC cosmetic outfits for Nor (Champions, Noble, and Vanguard outfits), as well as the Champions Pistol and Champions Axe weapons.

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Embark on an adventure as a brave pirate in this open-world 2.5D action RPG, exploring the pirate-themed fantasy world of Purribean, an archipelago full of Pi-Rats led by a pirate king in search of the mythical treasure of the Northen Star. Whether you prefer to explore on your own or want to help the quirky residents of Purribean, the choice is yours.

This sequel brings some fresh additions, including new dungeons, diverse biomes, and improved combat with improved attack combos and weapon switching. You can play solo or join forces with a friend in local co-op mode for double the fun. Plus, for the first time in the series, set sail and engage in epic ship battles. Seamlessly transition from sailing the open waters to exploring the shores, where loot and new discoveries await, including unique weapons, powerful spells, stylish costumes and more.

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For the uninitiated, it's a very impressive project by indie studio A44 Games in collaboration with publisher Kepler Interactive. Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn will be an action RPG game with soulslike elements in which the Gods have been released and the wars between them have put people on the brink of extinction, and Nor Vanek, a member of the coalition army, embarks on a revenge campaign. Throughout the adventure, she will be accompanied by a strange creature with magical powers named Enki, while participating in great battles against the Gods, exploring a dangerous big world, and mastering various weapons, magic and many other tools. 

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn releases for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store this summer. 

The post An extended gameplay video for the ARPG Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn has been released first appeared on IndieGames.

The footage offers a sneak peek at the protagonist Nor Vanek and her mysterious companion Enki as they use new magical and tactical abilities while facing new enemies in the Wanderer's Rest region. Additionally, the video features a preview of new cosmetics and equipment.

The unleashed Gods and the wars between them have put humans on the brink of extinction, and Nor Vanek, a member of the coalition army, embarks on a revenge campaign. Throughout the adventure, she will be accompanied by a strange creature with magical powers named Enki, and through the game we will participate in great battles against the Gods, explore a dangerous big world, and master the handling of various weapons, magic and many other tools.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is due out for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store this summer.

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