Baldur’s Gate 3 Director Praises Clair Obscur (March 2026)

When Greg Lidstone, the performance director behind Baldur’s Gate 3‘s incredible character animations, calls another RPG “beautiful” and says it “100% knows what it is,” I sit up and take notice. During a recent Larian Studios livestream, Lidstone’s praise for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 adds another powerful voice to the growing chorus of industry veterans recognizing this remarkable game.

As someone who’s been following both games closely since their announcements, I find this cross-studio appreciation particularly meaningful. It’s not just professional courtesy – it’s genuine recognition from someone who understands the immense technical challenges of bringing RPG characters to life.

What Makes This Praise So Significant?

Having spent countless hours analyzing both games’ animation systems, I can tell you that Lidstone’s comments carry serious weight. The man who helped bring Baldur’s Gate 3’s incredibly expressive characters to life – from subtle facial expressions during dialogue to dynamic combat animations – doesn’t throw around compliments lightly. When he calls Clair Obscur “beautiful,” he’s seeing something that impressed him on a technical level.

The timing of this praise is fascinating too. Clair Obscur launched on April 24, 2026, and in just over three months, it’s managed to capture the attention of industry legends. This isn’t just random success – it’s validation of Sandfall Interactive’s focused vision and execution.

Understanding “A Game That Knows What It Is”

Lidstone’s comment that Clair Obscur “100% knows what it is” resonates deeply with me as a longtime RPG player. In my experience covering the gaming industry, I’ve seen too many games try to be everything to everyone, losing their identity in the process. Clair Obscur doesn’t fall into that trap.

From my time with the game and following its development since its early “We Lost” prototype days, I can confirm that Sandfall Interactive maintained a laser focus on their vision: creating a turn-based JRPG with real-time parrying elements set in a unique Belle Époque-inspired fantasy world. They didn’t try to make it open-world because that’s trendy. They didn’t add multiplayer because competitors have it. They stuck to their guns, and that confidence shows in every frame.

The Technical Marvel Behind the Beauty

As someone who pays close attention to performance capture and animation quality, I understand why Lidstone was impressed. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 features some of the most fluid character animations I’ve seen in a turn-based RPG. The way characters move during combat, transitioning seamlessly between poses and attacks, rivals what we see in action games.

The game’s cast, including Andy Serkis and Jennifer English (who voiced Shadowheart in BG3), delivers performances that feel authentic and emotionally resonant. But it’s not just about star power – the technical implementation of their performances, from facial capture to body language, creates characters that feel genuinely alive.

What really struck me during my playthrough was how the animation quality enhances the turn-based combat. Every attack feels impactful, every dodge looks natural, and the real-time parrying mechanic adds a layer of engagement that keeps battles from feeling static – something even the best Baldur’s Gate 3 combat builds sometimes struggle with during longer encounters.

Industry Recognition Building Momentum

Lidstone isn’t alone in his praise. Since December [cy-1], when Swen Vincke predicted Clair Obscur’s success at The Game Awards, we’ve seen an avalanche of industry support. David Gaider, the Dragon Age creator, called it “kind of to JRPGs what Baldur’s Gate 3 was to CRPGs.” Michael Douse, Larian’s publishing director, has been vocally supportive. Even gaming legends like John Romero and Neil Druckmann have shared their appreciation.

This pattern of recognition matters because it’s organic. These aren’t paid endorsements or marketing collaborations – they’re genuine reactions from people who know what excellence looks like in game development. Having covered gaming for years, I rarely see this level of unanimous praise from industry veterans.

What This Means for RPG Fans

For those of us who love both Western and Japanese RPGs, this cross-pollination of appreciation is exciting. When the team behind one of the best CRPGs ever made recognizes excellence in a JRPG, it suggests we’re entering a golden age of mutual respect and learning between these traditionally separate spheres.

I’ve noticed in community discussions that players are increasingly open to trying games outside their usual preferences. Baldur’s Gate 3 players are checking out Clair Obscur because of Lidstone’s recommendation, while JRPG fans are discovering the depth of Larian’s masterpiece. This cross-pollination can only benefit the genre as a whole.

The Small Studio Success Story

What makes Clair Obscur’s success even more remarkable is that Sandfall Interactive achieved this with a team of just 30 people. In an industry where AAA RPGs often require hundreds of developers, this small French studio has created something that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with giants.

Their story reminds me why I love covering indie and AA games. They prove that with clear vision, technical excellence, and unwavering commitment to quality, smaller teams can create experiences that rival or exceed what massive studios produce. The game has already sold over 3.3 million copies in its first 33 days – a poetic milestone that shows players are hungry for these focused, high-quality experiences.

This success story parallels what we’ve seen with other breakthrough RPGs. Just like how turn-based JRPGs with player choice are experiencing a renaissance, Clair Obscur proves that innovation trumps budget size.

Looking Forward: What’s Next for Both Games

As I write this in March 2026, both games continue to evolve. Baldur’s Gate 3 remains a benchmark for narrative depth and player choice, while Clair Obscur is establishing itself as the new standard for modern JRPGs. The mutual respect between these development teams suggests we might see more knowledge sharing and inspiration flowing between Western and Eastern RPG design philosophies.

For RPG fans, this is the best possible outcome. We’re not just getting great games – we’re seeing developers push each other to new heights through genuine appreciation and healthy competition. When industry veterans like Lidstone take time to praise their peers, it creates an environment where innovation thrives.

Final Thoughts

Greg Lidstone’s praise for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 represents more than just one developer complimenting another. It’s a recognition that excellence in game development transcends studio size, geographic origin, or genre boundaries. As someone who’s played both games extensively, I can confidently say that both deserve their accolades.

Whether you’re a fan of Baldur’s Gate 3’s deep character customization or drawn to Clair Obscur’s stylish Belle Époque aesthetic, both games offer experiences that push the RPG genre forward. The fact that their developers openly celebrate each other’s achievements gives me hope for an even brighter future for RPGs of all types.