Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 crowned GOTY, defying all expectations at The Game Awards 2025

The Game Awards 2025 (TGA 2025) wrapped up with a result that caught the gaming community completely off guard. Amid a crowded field of highly anticipated blockbusters, the turn-based tactical RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 rose above the competition to claim the industry’s highest honor, Game of the Year (GOTY). The surprises did not stop there, as the game went on to secure an incredible nine awards, making it the most dominant title of this year’s ceremony.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (store.steampowered.com)
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (store.steampowered.com)

Expedition 33: a work of art from indie studio Sandfall Games

What makes the victory of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 even more remarkable is the fact that it is the debut project from Sandfall Games, a young independent studio. The game is set in Paris in 1899, within a dark and surreal world where humanity is threatened by a mysterious entity that appears once a year to erase an entire age group from existence.

Players follow the members of Expedition 33 on a desperate journey to defeat the “Paintress,” the being that holds the fate of the world in her hands. The combination of a striking setting and emotionally driven storytelling quickly earned the game widespread praise from critics.

According to general consensus, the game’s success comes down to three core pillars:

  1. Romantic visuals and next-generation graphics: French Romantic-era art influences are brought to life through modern technology, creating a world that feels both poetic and deeply unsettling.
  2. A powerful narrative: The story explores themes of hope, loss, and the final journey of people who fully understand the fate awaiting them.
  3. Innovative combat mechanics: While fundamentally a turn-based RPG, the game challenges players with quick-time events and precise defensive timing, delivering a fresh take on traditional turn-based combat.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Gameplay (store.steampowered.com)
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Gameplay (store.steampowered.com)

The list of nine awards: a clean sweep at TGA 2025

The success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 extended far beyond the GOTY title. The game demonstrated excellence across multiple major categories, from artistic vision and music to overall player experience. In total, the nine awards it received include:

  • Game of the Year (GOTY): The highest honor, recognizing the game’s overall excellence.
  • Best Art Direction: Celebrating its distinctive French Romantic visual style.
  • Best Role Playing Game: Cementing its status as the standout RPG of 2025.
  • Best Score and Music: Epic compositions that elevate every emotional moment.
  • Best Independent Game: A landmark achievement for Sandfall Games’ debut release.
  • Best Narrative: A deeply layered story that resonates with players.
  • Best Audio Design: Immersive sound design that strongly supports gameplay.
  • Innovation in Accessibility: Recognizing meaningful features that make the game more accessible.
  • Player's Voice Award: Clear proof of the game’s popularity among players worldwide.

The message behind Expedition 33’s victory

The moment Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 GOTY TGA 2025 was announced sent a clear message to the entire games industry. Independent studios with a strong artistic vision and the courage to innovate can stand shoulder to shoulder with, and even surpass, big-budget productions.

The fusion of turn-based combat that demands sharp reflexes and an emotionally rich narrative has created a truly unforgettable experience, one that fully deserves the title of Game of the Year 2025.