Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Sweeps The Game Awards 2025, Why Sandfall Interactive's RPG deserves the Awards
The 2025 Game Awards will be remembered as the night a new masterpiece emerged, one that dared to defy industry expectations and deliver pure quality. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33—the ambitious turn-based RPG from Sandfall Interactive—didn't just win Game of the Year; it swept the competition, earning every accolade it received. For many, including us, this title represents a crucial turning point for the medium, proving that heart, integrity, and brilliant design trump corporate scale.
Here is a deep dive into the elements that cemented Expedition 33's status as the definitive game of 2025.
A Canvas of Inspiration and Unapologetic Art
The foundation of Expedition 33's brilliance lies in its reverence for RPG history, coupled with a fiercely unique artistic vision. The influences are worn proudly: the deep, character-driven frameworks of classic Final Fantasy titles are evident, as is the emotional narrative scope of the cult hit Lost Odyssey. Blended expertly with this retro DNA are modern touches, such as the stylish interface and presentation borrowed from Persona 5, and the demanding, high-stakes parry and dodge mechanics pulled straight from the playbook of Soulslike games.
This aesthetic fusion extends directly to its visual presentation. The developers describe the look as a blend of early 20th-century French paintings and high fantasy, resulting in landscapes bursting with color, organic vistas, and otherworldly horror. Playing the game feels like stepping into a living, breathing canvas, a feeling emphasized by enemies inspired by various art forms, such as unsettling sculptures.
Crucially, the game is also unapologetically French. Sandfall Interactive wove its national culture deep into the game's bones. From the colorful use of French colloquialisms to subtle iconography and the presence of elements like the Eiffel Tower, baguettes, and French literature references like Laoru Contravon, this cultural integration enriches the world-building, making it feel distinct and authentic.
Defying the Industry Standard
In an era where players have been conditioned to expect new releases to be plagued by microtransactions, crunch, abuse, and corporate greed, Expedition 33 was a breath of fresh air. Developed by an indie-sized team, the game plays like a dream and delivered a complete, polished AAA product at roughly half the price of its major competitors.
This commitment to quality and fairness, placing the player experience above profit, is a direct testament to the developers’ integrity. Like Baldur’s Gate 3 before it, Expedition 33 shone a spotlight on the industry, reflecting that crew quality doesn't require a fleet of thousands or a bloated price tag reaching into the hundreds.
The Heart of the Expedition: Squad and Customization
A successful RPG lives or dies by its characters, and Expedition 33 absolutely knocks it out of the park with its core squad. The writing is phenomenal, lending unfathomable depth to every expeditioner, from Gustav and Myel to the rest of the crew. Every optional interaction is a masterclass in characterization, enriching the world-building and leading to unexpected quests, skills, and rewards. Crafting one likable, flawed, and intriguing character is a tall order; doing it for the entire main cast is a monumental achievement, supported by truly stellar voice acting across the board.
Adding to this depth is the rich and flexible system of customization. The game’s biggest surprise was the power of its Picto system—upgrades that range from simple stat boosts to dramatic abilities like multiple consecutive attacks or resurrection. The best part? Once a Picto is mastered, it can be used freely by the entire squad, provided you have the Luminina points, granting a refreshing freedom of choice and eliminating the need to sacrifice one character's build for another.
Genre-Defying Combat and Cinematic Bosses
What initially drew many players in was the promise of a turn-based RPG that incorporated an Elden Ring-style parry and dodge system. It delivered. Combat is demanding, requiring players to read enemy tells for brief windows to counter, resulting in an incredible payoff.
But that’s just the start. The combat is uniquely tailored for every party member, offering an array of sub-systems: Verso's perfection ranking, Myel's stances, Lun's elemental stains, and even Manoko’s foot collection. Furthermore, the inclusion of free aim allows players to go full third-person shooter to snipe weak points, creating countless ways to approach and decimate foes.
This dynamic system culminates in the cinematic bosses. The phrase “absolute cinema” gets thrown around too much, but it’s fitting when taking on towering entities like the reality-ripping Paintress. Just when you think you’ve got a boss's patterns figured out, a crazy integrated cutscene triggers a new, explosive phase, ensuring that every major confrontation feels like an unforgettable spectacle.
The God-Tier Soundtrack
While intimate moments and pitch-perfect pacing cemented the narrative as a masterpiece—delivering knockout revelations and hilarious banter in equal measure—it was the soundtrack that pushed Expedition 33 into god-tier territory.
Composers Lori and Testad accomplished something special. An okay OST fades; a good OST stands out; a great one elevates. With over 150 unique songs, including mournful tracks like "Lost Voice" and the absolute powerhouse "Unviet," the entire compilation is an instant classic. Without these magnificent tracks, the game’s most emotionally palpable and climactic moments would not have hit nearly as hard.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is not just a great game; it is a meticulously crafted work of art—a true triumph of design, integrity, and passion that rightfully claimed the 2025 Game of the Year crown.
What was your favorite moment from Expedition 33? Let us know in the comments below!
About the Writer
Jenny, the tech wiz behind Jenny's Online Blog, loves diving deep into the latest technology trends, uncovering hidden gems in the gaming world, and analyzing the newest movies. When she's not glued to her screen, you might find her tinkering with gadgets or obsessing over the latest sci-fi release.What do you think of this blog? Write down at the COMMENT section below.
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