The untranslatable book that inspired Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is finally getting an English release

Grief, loss, JRPGs, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and more inspired Sandfall Interactive's Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. When looking at its world and narrative, perhaps one text shows itself to have a bigger effect than any other, and it's Alain Damasio's cult classic sci-fi novel Horde of the Counterwind.

First released in 2004, the novel was considered to be completely untranslatable by some, due to the intricacies of its prose. However, as per a press release, it has now been translated by Alexander Dickow, and is scheduled to release on the 13th of October.

The story follows a horde of expeditioners as they climb towards the source of a powerful and mysterious wind that plagues their home. In the past 800 years, thirty-three hordes have tried before the one we follow in the novel, and have all failed against the might of the wind. As well as having a setup that'll interest fans of the 2025 hit game, the original novel also has Stormlight Archive-level worldbuilding and language that'll make you recall Patrick Rothfuss's Name of the Wind.

Horde of the Counterwind is available to pre-order now.