Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Surprises with Unexpected Success

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has taken the gaming world by storm, and even its creators are surprised by its unexpected success. The director of this turn-based RPG always thought it would be a "cool" game, but never anticipated it would become this "big."

Following the Golden Joysticks awards, creative director Guillaume Broche spoke about the studio's work, admitting that the positive reception from both fans and critics was unexpected. Broche stated that "nobody really understands what's happening." The team felt it would be cool, but its current success is a welcome surprise.

“It's a weird feeling," Broche said, "when you put your heart out into the world and the world embraces it and gives you so much love back. We get so much love from the players... it's so touching and incredible that it's very hard to explain." This sentiment is echoed by Ben Starr, who voices Verso in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Starr adds, "It was never intended to be as big as it is. It's turned into this kind of cultural moment, phenomenon, but that's just because the game is very honest, I think. And a lot of people have bought into that."

He continued, "I don't think anyone expected this because it's a small game. No one expected those numbers, and we've all just been messaging each other thinking, this is, well, this is just silly. This is just silly now. Everyone just stop. It's a silly joke. But yeah, it's been very cool."

The Launch and Critical Acclaim of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 launched on April 24, available on PC and console, and also immediately accessible via Xbox Game Pass as a day-one release. This wide availability likely contributed to its rapid growth in popularity.

The game received high praise, with one review describing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as a "modern RPG classic." The reviewer noted that it reminded them of numerous classic and contemporary RPGs, and that the developer truly understood what made those games special, incorporating those elements effectively.

Have you had a chance to play this surprising hit? What are your thoughts on its gameplay and story?

Awards and Recognition for the Indie RPG Sensation

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has achieved remarkable commercial success, selling 5 million copies in just five months. This makes it one of the standout hits of the year, proving that indie games can compete with AAA titles.

The game also garnered a record-breaking 12 nominations at The Game Awards, including categories such as Best Direction, Best Narrative, Best Art Direction, Best Score and Music, Best Audio, Best Independent Game, Best Debut Independent Game, and Best RPG. It is also nominated for the coveted Game of the Year award, a testament to its widespread appeal and critical acclaim.

Furthermore, three of the game's performers are nominated for Best Performance, highlighting the quality of the voice acting and character development within Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Key Features and Updates

For those intrigued by the game's success, it's worth noting that the studio has been actively supporting Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 with updates. One recent update included key features like a Battle Retry option, along with numerous quality-of-life improvements, visual enhancements, and bug fixes.

• Battle Retry Option
• Quality-of-Life Improvements
• Visual Enhancements
• Bug Fixes

The unexpected success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a testament to the power of innovative gameplay, compelling storytelling, and a dedicated development team. Its widespread acclaim and commercial success have solidified its place as a standout title in the RPG genre.