Yoshida shuts down the turn-based RPG label for Expedition 33
When designing a video game, the choices you make about genre and presentation can shape how players perceive the experience. This philosophy was recently highlighted by former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida, who offered crucial advice to the developers of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
Yoshida advised the team against labeling the game as a traditional turn‑based RPG. His reasoning was rooted in the lingering negative stigma surrounding JRPG combat systems that had taken hold during the 2010s.
During a recent lecture at the Busan Indie Connect Festival 2026, Yoshida shared his perspective after playing early demos of the title. While he was genuinely impressed by Expedition 33‘s clever blend of turn‑based mechanics and real‑time inputs—a design reminiscent of classics like The Legend of Dragoon—he cautioned that using the established JRPG label could inadvertently cause potential players to overlook the game itself.
This advice reflects a wider cultural shift within the gaming industry. Many Japanese studios, as a result of a trend toward action-focused systems, moved away from traditional turn-based combat, feeling it had become outdated.
Yet, history shows that genre boundaries are often fluid. Turn-based games have enjoyed a remarkable resurgence in recent years, proving that there is still a substantial and enthusiastic market for them, provided they are executed well.
Modern titles are clearly embracing this proven formula. The success of games like Yakuza 7, which famously embraced turn-based combat, and the enduring popularity of franchises like Pokémon demonstrate the continued appeal of strategic, turn-based gameplay.
More recently, massive critical and commercial hits like Baldur’s Gate 3 confirmed that turn-based combat is not merely a nostalgic niche but a powerful and highly desirable experience for modern players.
Yoshida’s experience with Expedition 33 underscores a vital point: the genre is alive and well. There is clearly plenty of life left for turn-based RPGs, and the market is actively seeking out thoughtful, engaging experiences within this framework.
This renewed enthusiasm extends across the industry. Even major players are looking to embrace the genre again, with Square Enix planning to bring turn-based combat back into the fold for their next installment of Final Fantasy, marking the first turn-based Final Fantasy game since Final Fantasy 13 nearly two decades ago.
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