Following its record 13 nominations at The Game Awards, Sandfall Interactive's debut RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has won GameSpot's Game of the Year for 2025. Built on a budget under $10 million, it has sold over 5 million copies amid widespread acclaim for its storytelling, combat, and visuals.
GameSpot's Prestigious Win
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has added GameSpot's Game of the Year 2025 to its accolades, capping a remarkable year for Sandfall Interactive's debut. As detailed in prior coverage of its The Game Awards nominations, the French studio's RPG blends JRPG influences like Final Fantasy with action elements from Sekiro and Nier, delivering a poignant narrative on grief and hope in a surreal world.
Commercial and Critical Triumph
Crafted by a 30-person team with outsourced animations and Kepler Interactive's support, the game stayed under $10 million while prioritizing tight 30-hour gameplay over open-world excess. Launched at $50, it has sold more than 5 million copies and dominated Xbox Game Pass. Sandfall co-founder Guillaume Broche noted: "Games like this are coming. We are lucky to be early."
This win arrives hours before The Game Awards ceremony on December 11, where the game eyes further honors.