The developers behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 have announced upcoming changes to the game's Stendhal ability, which has become notorious for its overwhelming power. This turn-based RPG from relatively unknown studio Sandfall Interactive has unexpectedly become one of 2025's biggest gaming surprises, maintaining strong popularity despite competition from major releases like the Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remaster.

The game's success is evident in its impressive sales figures and the ongoing scarcity of physical copies, with resellers charging premium prices for available stock. While primarily a single-player experience, Sandfall Interactive remains committed to maintaining balanced gameplay through periodic updates.

The Stendhal Balancing Challenge

Sandfall Interactive recently confirmed through social media that an upcoming patch will address balance issues with Maelle's Stendhal ability. When combined with her Virtuose stance, this skill currently allows players to deal damage numbers so high they can defeat the game's most challenging secret bosses multiple times over with a single hit.

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Interestingly, Stendhal wasn't always this powerful. During most of the game's development, the ability was actually considered underwhelming, prompting developers to significantly increase its damage output. While Sandfall encourages players to experiment with powerful builds, the current iteration of Stendhal has made combat encounters trivial, overshadowing other viable playstyles.

The developers have assured players that post-update, Stendhal will remain a strong single-target ability but will be brought more in line with other combat options. This approach aims to preserve the fun of powerful builds while maintaining meaningful gameplay challenges.

Global Recognition for a Breakout Hit

The success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has reached remarkable heights, even garnering attention from French President Emmanuel Macron. The leader publicly congratulated Sandfall Interactive, praising how the game showcases "France's creativity and audacity" on the global stage.

This recognition comes as the game continues to achieve both critical and commercial success, with an OpenCritic average score of 92/100 and 97% of critics recommending the title. The blend of traditional turn-based combat with innovative real-time elements has clearly resonated with RPG fans worldwide.