From the moment I met Monoco inClair Obscur: Expedition 33, I couldn’t help but connect with the feisty yet warm-hearted Gestral. But what really stole my heart is the Easter Egg linked to him, hinting that he might be inspired by the developer’s real-life dog.
Take a peek at Sandfall Interactive’sTeam page, and you’ll notice a surprise nestled among the developers: a certain man’s best friend named Monoco. The name rings a bell, doesn’t it? It’s no stretch to think this lovable mutt may have inspiredClair Obscur: Expedition 33’sown Monoco. Adding fuel to the theory is a subtle dog-themed Easter Egg tucked into Act 3, offering just enough of a wink to suggest there’s truth to it.
Or maybe it’s the other way around. Perhaps the real-life pup took on the Monoco name during development. Either way, it’s downright delightful to know that Monoco is out there, probably just as lovable as his in-game counterpart. He’s even officially listed on Sandfall Interactive’s team page as their Happiness Manager, with “eating wood” and “chasing broomsticks” proudly declared as his favorite games. If I ever visit their studio, the first thing I’d ask is, “Can I speak to your manager?” to see if I can pet the good boy.
Speaking of Monoco, the real-life pup even makes an appearance in the game, with the same adorable picture from the team’s page hanging in the elusiveManor. But that’s not all. There are plenty of other Easter Eggs waiting to be discovered, includinga paintingof the development team. If you look closely at the artwork, you’ll spot 33 members (34 if you count Monoco, of course). This could very well be another nod to the game’s title,Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and it’s amazing to see how many thoughtful details are woven into the experience.
There’s no doubt thatClair Obscur: Expedition 33’sopen worldis teeming with hidden gems that haven’t been discovered. There might even be more Monoco Easter Eggs tucked away in the corners of this massive universe, just for the most curious players to sniff them out.
