There are probably many Clair Obscur: Campaign 33 players who haven't met Simon. He started the first campaign with Verso and is one of his oldest friends. He also hides very well and is easily the most challenging boss in the game.
Multiple phases, incredibly powerful attacks that are wildly unpredictable, and enough health to tank even the hardest hits make him a nightmare to deal with, and it's the reason that less than 16 percent of players beat 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 dangerous enemies.
Clair Obscur: Simon of Expedition 33 is a Malenia Regen
I vividly remember my first fight with Malenia in the Alden Ring. It didn't go well. And not my second, third, fourth, or fifth. In fact, it took total respect and several attempts before I lost him. It's no surprise, then, that Simon, who almost gave me so many ass-whoopings, is based on the Goddess of Rot.
Famitsu recently asked 191 Japanese developers and celebrities for their game of the year, and of course, there was only one winner.
Another tally in the win column for Clair Obscur.
Asked where the inspiration for Simon came from in a new Q&A with Sushi, Broche said, “When we played Elden Ring, Malenia had a very 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 kind of vulnerable and at first he looks vulnerable, then he's vulnerable.”
He continued, “We wanted to explore what the old expeditioner would look like. He's Verso's old friend from Expedition Zero.”
It's an interesting comparison, and while it's not immediately obvious, it makes perfect sense.
The idea is that he's kind of downplayed in the beginning, he looks weak, and 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 a recent update to celebrate its many Game of the Year wins, the team added Simon, the Divergent star. It's effectively Simon on steroids, and it looks downright impossible. I'll give it a skip.
- issued
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April 24, 2025
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ / Blood and gore, strong language, suggestive themes, violence
- developer(s)
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Sandfall Interactive
- publisher(s)
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Kepler Interactive
