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  1. Games
  2. RPGs
  3. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 director praises the RPG sicko who managed to beat the most infamous boss by taking every hit without cheesing: "I tried to do it before release and I couldn't manage it"

News
By Jordan Gerblick published 12 January 2026

Even the game's director was surprised someone bested Simon in a fair fight

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lead Gustave faces a gommage
(Image credit: Sandfall Interactive)
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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 developer Sandfall Interactive was merciful when it decided to make the game's most infamously punishing fight, the dastardly post-game superboss Simon, an optional encounter. Still, as is their call of duty, J'RPG completionists have been willfully tangling with the Expedition Zero madman and his giant sword since launch, but apparently not many of them come out on top without resorting to cheesy tactics.

Talking to GR+ sister publication Edge for its latest issue, Expedition 33 creative director Guillaume Broche said no one has managed to "break the game" in any unintended ways, but what did impress him was an unnamed and apparently incredibly skillful player who managed to take down Simon without cheesing him at all - and also without avoiding any of his massive swings.

"What surprised me most was someone managed to beat [optional boss] Simon without cheesing and by taking every single hit and still win," said Broche. "That impressed me, because I tried to do it before release and I couldn't manage it."

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Of course, those with buildcrafting in their blood, like GR's Austin Wood, have managed to break open Expedition 33's combat system to make mincemeat out of Simon, even on New Game+, on expert mode, and with an 100x health challenge modifier applied. Still, it's gotta be an RPG badge of honor to get a nod directly from the game's chief creative.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 devs "basically did twice the work" of a more experienced team to get the hit French RPG out the door

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  • Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Gustave in a French-inspired outfit Baldur's Gate 3 performance director bet Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 would be a hit for 33 baguettes
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Jordan Gerblick
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After earning an English degree from ASU, I worked as a corporate copy editor while freelancing for places like SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG on the side. I got my big break here in 2019 with a freelance news gig, and I was hired on as GamesRadar's west coast Staff Writer in 2021. That means I'm responsible for managing the site's western regional executive branch, AKA my home office, and writing about whatever horror game I'm too afraid to finish.

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Gustave stands in the foreground wearing beret and striped shirt
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