Expedition 33 Deserved to Win Game of the Year

With its record-breaking Game Awards performance, Clair Obscur cemented itself as the game to beat in the end-of-year season, and deservedly so. For me, there are a handful of different reasons why Expedition 33 is a deserving Game of the Year winner, but others may only just be taking notice. Perhaps they aren’t as tuned in to the ins and outs of the industry, and are only now hearing about Clair Obscur because of its big win this year, and, as a result, are wondering what makes it the “best game of 2025.”

1. The Story is Wholly Unique

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 establishes a world with an interesting premise and only gets more complex as things go. Its characters are rich and compelling, but it is the journey that pushes players forward. In addition to winning Game of the Year, Clair Obscur also won Best Narrative, and for good reason.

Just that simple hook of a group of heroes trying to stop an ominous figure from wiping out every 33-year-old from existence draws you in, and as you dig deeper, you discover there is way more to the game than just the setup. Games often draw you in with a unique premise and then use gameplay to keep you going. Clair Obscur leverages strong writing to create a series of emotional moments and keep you guessing the whole way through.

2. The World is Beautiful

The originality of Clair Obscur’s story is only surpassed by its world and world-building. Visually, the way the game distorts familiar landscapes creates a sense of otherworldliness. There’s a familiarity to every environment, but each flips a concept on its head.

Whether it’s a section that has you literally under the water, or a massive Ferris Wheel that looks as if it was cracked apart like a mirror, there is no shortage of jaw-dropping sights in the game. On top of that, the overworld’s use of a tilt-shift camera to create scope and depth makes the traversal between each level its own visual treat.

3. Combat is satisfying

Skirting alongside the conversations regarding Clair Obscur’s impact on the turn-based RPG genre, what the game does well with its combat is consistently engage and reward the player’s performance. With the timing-based actions, there is a greater sense of agency in the damage your party deals out, and the parry/dodge/jump mechanic is extremely flashy and wholly satisfying to execute.

The game also smartly adds new layers to its combat early on, ensuring that players don’t feel like they’ve seen all there is to offer in the beginning. Each character also carries their own unique combat mechanic, which introduces new play styles and ways to experiment with your team composition. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is so much more than simply choosing an action and watching it play out.

4. Clair Obscur Made Fans Out of Non-RPG Players

Perhaps the biggest compliment that many have paid toward Clair Obscur is that it is the first “JRPG” that they have enjoyed. I’ve heard this from so many different people – folks who were never interested in the genre, but gave Expedition 33 a chance based on the positive reception and ended up loving it. Some of my friends have even asked for suggestions for other turn-based games they should play, as if Clair Obscur unlocked a part of their brain they never thought would enjoy these types of games.

Like Baldur’s Gate 3 before it, Clair Obscur took a genre that appealed to a specific subset of people and found a way to break out into the mainstream. When someone starts with “I usually don’t like these types of games, but,” you know that a developer has done something right.

5. Sandfall Has Captured Our Hearts

Developer Sandfall Interactive has embraced its newfound success with a humble and grateful attitude. Their reluctance when it comes to occupying the spotlight makes it even easier to like the game, and, dare I say, makes you love everything about it even more. You can feel their passion and see how deeply they appreciate their fans’ adoration. From dressing up in the baguette outfits at awards shows, to the heartfelt award speeches that each developer has given, it’s hard not to root for Clair Obscur’s success and to see it rewarded is all the more heartwarming.

Hopefully, you were already sold on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from the early word of mouth about the game. But if not, and these Game Awards wins still have you unsure, just know that this is a game that deserves every single accolade that has (and will) come its way. This is just a small snapshot of what makes Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 a deserving winner, and once you play it, you’ll discover your own reasons why this game is special.

Released

April 24, 2025

ESRB

Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence

Developer(s)

Sandfall Interactive

Publisher(s)

Kepler Interactive