"Parrying was not easy": Clair Obscur Expedition 33 devs had to turn to sound to fix an integral part of the J'RPG's combat

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3. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

"Parrying was not easy": Clair Obscur Expedition 33 devs had to turn to sound to fix an integral part of the J'RPG's combat News By Anthony McGlynn Contributions from Austin Wood published 11 March 2026

Sandfall created a clever way of making things simpler

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(Image credit: Sandfall Interactive/Kepler Interactive)

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When it comes to game development, small changes can make a big difference, like the parrying sound in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Timing was a bit of a problem earlier on in Sandfall Entertainment's multi-award winning epic RPG, but the sound design team were able to help remedy the situation, as Olivier Penchenier, the technical and sound designer, explained during a talk at GDC 2026 attended by GamesRadar+.

"We realized that parrying was not easy for the player," he says. "So Guillaume [Broche, director] asked me if something could help the player to get good timing on the attack. I didn't want to have some clear beep or alarm sound saying 'Parry now,' instead, we decided to keep something directly inside the attack sound."

The first iteration of this is known as 'the sweep,' Penchenier explains, a "small, high-pitched sound" that you'd hear right in the scrum of an attack rush. It was timed relative to the moment of impact, but "it was not very consistent," due to variable timings depending on the moves and abilities being used.

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Another solution emerged later in development, the Glissant Rush, named for the musical term glissando, where you swiftly slide up or down an instrument from one note to another. "It's a rush with a much more cultural timing for the integration," he states. "We also use a second audio with the same size, and that file contains a reference hit, a bit like a kick, and this file was used as a marker to place the rush in the sequence, because the hits will happen in the same timing every time."

Essentially, the Glissant Rush is a more precise and predictable indicator for players, letting the team signpost exactly when the parry should happen. "It helps both with gameplay timing and also with the mix, because the rush naturally leaves space when the beats arrive," Penchenier says. "So today, both systems coexist in the game. In terms of songs, they actually are very similar. So for the player, it doesn't really change the overall aesthetic."

The next time you manage to land a perfect parry, remember it took a long process to get you there. And the devs are even teaching you some music theory, too.

"The first track spoils the whole game": Clair Obscur Expedition 33 devs confirm they were filling your ears with spoilers the entire time

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Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. CATEGORIES PC Gaming PS5 Xbox Series X Platforms PlayStation Xbox Anthony McGlynnSocial Links NavigationContributing Writer

Anthony is an Irish entertainment and games journalist, now based in Glasgow. He previously served as Senior Anime Writer at Dexerto and News Editor at The Digital Fix, on top of providing work for Variety, IGN, Den of Geek, PC Gamer, and many more. Besides Studio Ghibli, horror movies, and The Muppets, he enjoys action-RPGs, heavy metal, and pro-wrestling. He interviewed Animal once, not that he won’t stop going on about it or anything.

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