Although Chiaroscuro: Expedition 33 was expected to be released this year, no one could have predicted that the game would become such a success so quickly. A few days after its release, the title from Sandfall Interactive announced that it had sold over a million copies worldwide. This is a huge victory for this French game, which is likely to earn a prominent place at this year's Game Awards.
Since its release on April 24, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has received unanimous praise, obtaining a score of 92 on Metacritic and becoming the highest-rated game of 2025. On social media, players are already saying they are fans of the universe, but also and above all of the gameplay, which has attracted more than one in its nets. French players are particularly responsive to this release, since Expedition 33 is a true homage to the culture of France, both through the settings and the characters who dress up in striped sweaters, berets, and baguettes.
The GOTY 2025?
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an adventure RPG whose combat is played in turns. By definition, it is therefore an opus appealing to a rather niche community and not to the general public. But As the release date approached and the game's hype grew, it managed to find its audience even among fans of classic action-adventure games.
Part of what makes Expedition 33 a success is its compelling story. Set in a dark and fantastical Belle Époque, the game tells the story of Expedition 33, a group determined to defeat the Painter. It is a mysterious entity that, each year, erases individuals reaching a certain age. This curse sees the fateful age decrease annually, which worries future generations. The narrative invites players to discover the secrets of the world through exploration.
The game's second asset is the embodiment of turn-based combat, with unparalleled dynamism. After playing it at Gamescom 2024, we were amazed by the fluidity of the animations, but also the graphic style of the title, which is a worthy heir to the best Final Fantasy. The studio reinvents the turn-based mechanics by integrating real-time elements. Players can dodge, parry, and counterattack. The customization system, via the "Pictos" and "Luminas", allows for the creation of synergies between characters, offering significant strategic depth.
The fact that it is a new IP (intellectual property) plays in its favor for the end-of-year elections. This is a criterion that is generally taken into account at The Game Awards for the nomination of the best game of the year, in addition to its influence, its technical risk-taking and its popularity among players.
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