There are probably many Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 players who didn't meet Simon. He went on the first expedition with Verso and is one of his oldest friends. He's also very well hidden and is comfortably the game's most challenging boss.
Multiple phases, incredibly powerful attacks that are completely unpredictable, and enough health to be able to drop even the toughest hits make him a nightmare to deal with, which is why less than 16 percent of players have beaten him.
Now, in a new Q&A, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 director Guillhaume Broche has revealed the inspiration for the character, sharing that he's based on one of the Elden Ring's most vicious enemies.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Simon Is A Malenia Regen
I clearly remember my first fight with Malenia in the Ring of Fire. It didn't go well. And not my second, third, fourth or fifth either. In fact, it took a full respect and many more tries before I actually hit her. So it's no surprise that Simon, who gave me almost as many ass-hoopings, is based on the goddess of roots.
Famitsu just asked 191 Japanese developers and celebrities about their game of the year, and of course there was only one winner
Another result in the win column for Clair Obscur.
When asked where the inspiration for Simon came from in a recent Q&A transcribed by Sushi, Broche said: “When we played Elden Ring, Malenia had quite an aura, even though she had a simple design. We wanted to bring that simplicity to one of the hardest bosses. The idea is that he's a bit subdued in the beginning, he seems weak, and then he becomes full in Phase 2.”
He continued, “We wanted to explore what an old expedition man would look like. He's an old friend of Versos from Expedition Zero.”
It's a fascinating comparison, and one that makes perfect sense, even if it's not immediately obvious.
The idea is that he is a bit toned down in the beginning, he seems weak, then becomes absolute hell in phase 2.
For those masochists out there who didn't find Simon challenging enough, Sandfall Interactive has your back. As part of the latest update to celebrate their many Game of the Year wins, the team added Simon, The Divergent Star. It's actually Simon on steroids, and it honestly looks impossible. I'll skip this one.
- Released
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April 24, 2025
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer
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Sandfall Interactive
- Publisher
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Kepler Interactive
