Clair Obscur Expedition 33 and Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Directors Discuss PlayStation Roots and Industry Success

In a recent in-depth feature by Japanese gaming news outlet Denfaminicogamer, two veteran French creators from leading game studios—Guillaume Broche, director of Clair Obscur Expedition 33, and Ben Fike, CEO and creative director at Lizardcube, the team behind Shinobi: Art of Vengeance—shared their personal gaming backgrounds and perspectives on the industry’s evolution.

Their conversation casts new light on how foundational gaming experiences can shape the creative output behind some of the most critically acclaimed new releases, even when those experiences do not include Nintendo’s storied consoles. Clair Obscur Expedition 33, developed by Broche, has taken the gaming world by storm with its robust visuals and deep storytelling, earning a notable 93 Metascore, while Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, directed by Fike and developed by Lizardcube, continues the legacy of the Shinobi series with a fresh approach and holds an impressive Metascore of 87.

Both titles have garnered praise for their gameplay innovation, artistic vision, and narrative depth. Despite their roles as leading voices in European game development, Broche and Fike revealed in the interview that their formative gaming years were primarily spent on PlayStation hardware, rather than Nintendo consoles.

Guillaume Broche explained, in translation, that after his early years, “PlayStation games became my focus, with Japanese RPGs like the Final Fantasy and Atelier series capturing my attention.” Broche also highlighted his appreciation for action games, especially Capcom’s Devil May Cry series and the iconic Shinobi entry released for the PlayStation 2.

However, he emphasized, “I didn’t grow up with much access to Nintendo systems or their flagship titles.” Adding further perspective, Ben Fike described a similar trajectory: “Much like Guillaume, Nintendo consoles were not a part of my gaming landscape while growing up.

My upbringing in the countryside west of Paris meant opportunities to engage with Nintendo's extensive catalog were rare.” Fike went on to note the coincidental parallels in their gaming journeys, both rooted in PlayStation’s diverse software library and the creative influence that fostered. The candid exchange between Broche and Fike underscores the global and cross-platform influences that continue to shape modern game development.

Their success, as evidenced by the high critical praise for both Clair Obscur Expedition 33 and Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, demonstrates that inspiration can emerge from a variety of gaming backgrounds.

While neither developer had early access to Nintendo’s hardware, their passion for complex narratives and evocative design has found a broad audience, with both games now widely available on contemporary platforms including PlayStation and the Nintendo Switch via the eShop. As the gaming industry continues to celebrate its diversity, the stories of Broche and Fike exemplify how creative talent can flourish beyond traditional brand loyalties, enriching the landscape of games available to dedicated fans worldwide.

Nintendo PlayStation Shinobi consoles Success Vengeance Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Shinobi Art of Vengeance Guillaume Broche Ben Fike Lizardcube Denfaminicogamer