🎮 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - A French RPG Masterpiece
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a debut RPG from Sandfall Interactive, has taken the gaming world by storm with its unique blend of turn-based combat, stunning visuals, and a gripping narrative, earning accolades from critics and even French President Emmanuel Macron.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - A French RPG Masterpiece
Introduction
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, developed by the French studio Sandfall Interactive, has emerged as one of 2025’s most celebrated games. Released on April 24, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, this turn-based RPG with real-time mechanics has captivated players with its innovative gameplay, Belle Époque-inspired world, and emotional storytelling. Its meteoric rise, marked by over a million copies sold in three days and unprecedented critical acclaim, has even drawn praise from French President Emmanuel Macron, who hailed it as a “shining example of French audacity and creativity.” This article delves into the game’s history, statistics, sales, player base, earnings, reviews, and why it stands out as a mega-success compared to big-budget titles from major studios.
Game History and Development
Origins and Vision
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the debut project of Sandfall Interactive, a Montpellier-based studio founded by former Ubisoft developers. Formed by a team of just 33 members, Sandfall aimed to create a fresh take on the JRPG genre, blending classic turn-based combat with real-time mechanics like dodging, parrying, and countering. Inspired by Belle Époque France and post-apocalyptic themes, the game’s aesthetic and narrative draw heavily from French art and culture, setting it apart from traditional JRPGs.
Announced at the Xbox Games Showcase in June 2024, the game generated buzz with its stunning Unreal Engine 5 visuals and unique premise. The story follows the Expeditioners, a group tasked with destroying the Paintress, a mystical entity that awakens annually to paint a number on a monolith, erasing everyone of that age. In 2025, the Paintress is set to paint “33,” giving the protagonists one year to break her cycle of death.
Development Journey
Sandfall Interactive spent nearly five years crafting Clair Obscur, focusing on a narrative-driven experience with a 30-hour main story and up to 60 hours with side content. Despite launching alongside The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, a high-profile competitor, the team’s dedication paid off, with the game going gold without delays. The Collector’s Edition sold out within a week of its reveal in January 2025, signaling massive pre-launch hype.
Gameplay and Features
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a single-player, third-person RPG set in a fantasy world blending Belle Époque elegance with dark, post-apocalyptic surrealism. Key features include:
- Combat: A hybrid of turn-based and real-time mechanics, allowing players to dodge, parry, and chain combos while targeting enemy weak points with a free-aim system.
- Exploration: Players traverse breathtaking landscapes, from the Island of Visages to the Forgotten Battlefield, uncovering secrets and hidden quests.
- Character Customization: Six playable characters can be leveled up with unique gear, stats, and skills.
- Narrative: A lore-rich story with compelling dialogue and no mini-map, emphasizing immersion.
- Soundtrack: A critically acclaimed OST, described as “obscenely long” and “an all-timer,” composed by a former SoundCloud artist.
Statistics and Sales
Sales and Player Base
- Sales: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 sold over 1 million copies in just three days, with 500,000 sold on launch day alone. These figures exclude Xbox Game Pass players, indicating even broader reach.
- Steam Player Count: The game peaked at 121,422 concurrent players on Steam, surpassing every Final Fantasy, Persona, and Dragon Quest title, a feat achieved by only 0.0016% of Steam games.
- Total Players: While exact Game Pass numbers are undisclosed, the game’s popularity on Xbox and PlayStation suggests millions have played it, with posts on X noting 100,000 simultaneous players on Steam for a week post-launch.
Earnings
- Revenue from Sales: At approximately $50 per copy, the game generated an estimated $50 million from sales alone in three days. Additional revenue from Game Pass deals and potential performance bonuses for downloads further boosted earnings.
- Publisher Impact: The success is a significant win for Kepler Interactive, a smaller publisher known for indie hits like Scorn and Sifu, highlighting the viability of mid-tier publishing models.
Critical Reception
- Metacritic: The game holds a Metascore of 92 and an unprecedented user score of 9.7 based on over 2,500 reviews, potentially making it the highest user-rated game in Metacritic history.
- OpenCritic: A 92/100 score, tying it as the highest-rated game of 2025, surpassing titles like Split Fiction and Monster Hunter Wilds.
- PlayStation Store: It boasts the highest user score in PlayStation Store history at 4.9/5, outranking Omori (9.1/10) and Persona 5 (4.87/5).
- Steam: 94% positive reviews from over 5,000 reviews within days, with a sustained 92% positive rating.
- Notable Reviews:
Why It’s a Mega-Success
Unprecedented Critical Acclaim
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has achieved a rare feat: universal acclaim across platforms, with a Metacritic user score of 9.7 that outshines even all-time greats like The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine (9.3). Its 92 Metascore and top PlayStation Store rating cement its status as 2025’s best-reviewed game. French President Emmanuel Macron’s Instagram post, stating, “A million copies and to date, one of the best-rated games in history: and yes, it’s French!” underscores its cultural and critical impact.
Commercial Triumph
Selling 1 million copies in three days, despite being available on Game Pass, is a remarkable achievement for a debut studio. The game’s 121,422 peak Steam players outpaced JRPG giants, proving its broad appeal. Its rapid sales and sold-out Collector’s Edition reflect a level of hype typically reserved for AAA franchises.
Cultural Significance
As a French-made game, Clair Obscur has become a national pride point, with Macron’s endorsement highlighting France’s growing influence in gaming alongside studios like Ubisoft and Quantic Dream. Its Belle Époque-inspired world and unapologetic French stylings resonate globally, earning it a unique nickname in Japan and praise for its cultural authenticity.
Game Pass Advantage
Available day-one on Xbox Game Pass, the game reached millions beyond its sales figures, amplifying its player base and cultural impact. This accessibility, combined with high sales, showcases a successful hybrid model of traditional sales and subscription services.
Why It Outshines Big Studio Titles
Small Team, Big Vision
Unlike AAA titles from giants like Bethesda or Square Enix, Clair Obscur was crafted by a team of just 33 developers, allowing for a focused, cohesive vision. Sandfall’s ex-Ubisoft talent brought expertise but avoided the bloat often seen in large-scale productions, resulting in a polished, innovative game. Posts on X compare it to Baldur’s Gate 3 for CRPGs, calling it “kind of to JRPGs what Baldur’s Gate 3 was to CRPGs.”
Fresh Take on JRPGs
The game scraps traditional JRPG hallmarks like MP or inventory management, introducing real-time combat mechanics that feel dynamic and accessible. Its parry-filled battles and lack of a mini-map prioritize immersion, setting it apart from formulaic big-budget RPGs. Reviewers note it feels like a “French Persona” with a unique identity.
Artistic and Narrative Depth
The game’s Belle Époque-inspired world, surreal adversaries, and heartbreaking soundtrack create an emotional experience that rivals AAA narratives. Its 30–60-hour runtime is concise yet rich, avoiding the padded content common in larger titles. Critics praise its subtle dialogue and world-building, which sidestep heavy exposition.
Community and Critical Support
Despite launching against Oblivion Remastered, Clair Obscur garnered support from industry figures like Bethesda and Dragon Age’s creator, who called it “beautiful.” Its 92% Steam rating and 9.7 Metacritic user score reflect a passionate community, with posts on X calling it a GOTY frontrunner. This grassroots enthusiasm contrasts with the often polarized reception of AAA releases.
Efficient Development
With a smaller budget and team, Sandfall delivered a game that feels AAA in scope, leveraging Unreal Engine 5 for stunning visuals without the $200 million+ budgets of titles like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Its $50 million estimated revenue from sales alone highlights a high return on investment, proving small studios can compete with industry giants.
Fun Fact: Macron’s Endorsement
French President Emmanuel Macron publicly congratulated Sandfall Interactive on Instagram, stating, “A million copies and to date, one of the best-rated games in history: and yes, it’s French! Congratulations to Sandfall Interactive and all the creators of Expedition 33. You are a shining example of French audacity and creativity.” This rare presidential nod, echoed across posts on X, underscores the game’s cultural significance and its role in elevating France’s gaming industry.
Sources
- IGN: French President Macron Congratulates Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- GameRant: French President Macron Congratulates Clair Obscur
- PCGamer: Clair Obscur Sells 1 Million Copies
- TheGamer: Clair Obscur Highest-Rated Game
- Windows Central: Macron Praises Clair Obscur
- Forbes: Clair Obscur Highest User-Scored Game
- TweakTown: Clair Obscur 1 Million Sales
- Engadget: Clair Obscur Sales Milestone
- Steam: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- GamesRadar: Clair Obscur Best-Rated 2025
Conclusion
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a triumph of innovation, artistry, and passion, achieving 1 million sales, a 9.7 Metacritic user score, and a 92 Metascore in just days. Its 121,422 peak Steam players and estimated $50 million in revenue highlight its commercial prowess, while its Belle Époque-inspired world and hybrid combat redefine the JRPG genre. Sandfall Interactive’s small team outshone AAA giants by delivering a focused, emotionally resonant experience, proving that creativity and vision can trump bloated budgets. With endorsements from Emmanuel Macron and a global fanbase, Clair Obscur is not just 2025’s best game—it’s a modern classic.