Former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida told Clair Obscur devs to not call it a ‘turn-based RPG’ so people wouldn’t ‘overlook’ it

=== Clair Obscur’s Success: When Even PlayStation Bosses Rethink Genre Labels ===

[Former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida shared a fascinating insight into the challenges indie developers face, particularly when navigating genre perceptions. His advice to the team behind Clair Obscur highlights how even seemingly innocuous labels can impact a game’s reception.]

The Turn-Based RPG Dilemma: A Marketing Minefield

According to former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida, the term “turn-based RPG” carries significant baggage. During a lecture at the Busan Indie Connect Festival 2026 (via 2026 games), he revealed that he advised the developers of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to avoid using the label in their marketing materials, fearing it would deter potential players. Yoshida had been impressed by an early demo of the game, noting its similarities to The Legend of Dragoon, a title he himself produced. However, he cautioned Sandfall Interactive about the potential pitfalls of associating with the “turn-based RPG” genre.

“It’s incredibly well-made,” Yoshida stated, “but it would be better not to call it a turn-based RPG. That alone might cause players to overlook it.”

Reactive Battles: A Fresh Take on Combat

Sandfall Interactive took this advice to heart and began describing Clair Obscur’s combat as “reactive turn-based battles” in their promotional materials. While it’s impossible to definitively say whether this rebranding directly contributed to the game’s breakout success, it undoubtedly helped shape its image. The term “reactive” suggests a more engaging and dynamic experience than traditional turn-based systems.

Even setting aside the perceived genre stigma, labeling Clair Obscur as a simple turn-based RPG arguably undersells the intensity of its combat. It’s far from the kind of game where you can leisurely pause between turns to grab a snack. The gameplay actively encourages players to study enemy movements and meticulously time their dodges and parries, creating an experience that feels surprisingly akin to a soulslike.

Beyond Labels: Clair Obscur’s Impact

Did simply adding the word “reactive” before “turn-based” truly change everything? Perhaps not. However, it speaks volumes about the tendency for many games in the genre to only appeal to a niche audience – those who grew up with them and aren’t easily put off by the prospect of taking turns during intense action sequences.

Fortunately, Clair Obscur has played a significant role in revitalizing interest in turn-based games. It achieved impressive sales figures in its first month and has since surpassed expectations. Yoshida believes that Clair Obscur serves as an excellent example of why blindly chasing industry trends isn’s always the right approach. He also noted that publishers are now seeing a surge in pitches for new turn-based games, likely inspired by Clair Obscur’s remarkable success.

[[MEDIA_0: A screenshot showcasing the reactive combat system in Clair Obscur, highlighting the dynamic enemy movements and player dodges.]]

Source: PC Gamer