Okay, let's talk about a secret I almost missed in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Did you know there's a boss so hidden and so brutally difficult that less than 16% of players have actually beaten him? 🤯 I'm talking about Simon, the friend from Expedition Zero who went on the first journey with Verso. I stumbled into his lair completely unprepared, and let me tell you, it was a lesson in pain. Multiple phases, attacks that felt completely random, and a health bar that just wouldn't quit... it was a nightmare. And now, the game's director just revealed the terrifying inspiration behind this wall of a boss.
So, where did the idea for this punishing encounter come from? In a recent Q&A, director Guillhaume Broche dropped the truth bomb: Simon is directly inspired by Elden Ring's Malenia, Blade of Miquella. Yep, the Goddess of Rot herself! ️💀 Broche explained that Malenia had this incredible aura despite a relatively simple design, and the team wanted to capture that feeling. They crafted Simon to seem unassuming at first, maybe even a bit weak... and then phase two hits, and it becomes, in Broche's own words, "absolute hell." Doesn't that just sum up the FromSoftware boss experience we all know and... love?
Thinking about it, the comparison makes perfect sense. Remember your first time facing Malenia? I sure do. It wasn't just a battle; it was a ritual of failure, respecs, and frustration. Simon gave me that exact same feeling in Clair Obscur. It's that specific brand of challenge that feels unfair until you learn the dance, and then it becomes a brutal test of skill. The developers wanted to explore what one of the old, veteran expeditioners would be like, and they created a monument to difficulty.
But wait, it gets even crazier. For the absolute masochists out there who thought, "Hmm, Simon could be harder," Sandfall Interactive heard you. As part of their 2025 update celebrating all those Game of the Year awards, they added Simon, The Divergent Star. This isn't just New Game+ Simon; this is Simon on every performance-enhancing substance known to man. I've seen clips, and it looks frankly impossible. A new move set, even more health, and damage that will one-shot most builds? I think I'll be sitting this particular challenge out, thank you very much!
So, what makes a boss like this so memorable, even when it's kicking our teeth in?
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The Element of Surprise: He's incredibly well-hidden. You can play the whole game and never find him, which makes the discovery and subsequent beating feel even more personal.
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The Psychological Warfare: That shift from "Hey, this guy seems okay" to "OH GOD WHAT IS HAPPENING" in phase two is a masterclass in boss design tension.
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The Legacy: Being tied to Verso's past and Expedition Zero adds a layer of lore that makes the fight feel significant, not just difficult for difficulty's sake.
It's fascinating to see how inspiration flows between games. Elden Ring defined a generation of challenge, and now we see its DNA in other incredible titles like Clair Obscur. It makes you wonder, what other iconic bosses from gaming history are secretly influencing the nightmares we face today? 👻
Have you faced Simon yet? Or, are you brave enough to try The Divergent Star? Let me know in the comments if you're part of that elite 16% club... or if you're still recovering like I am!