Nobody saw it coming. A few years ago, if you told a die-hard RPG fan that a debut title from a brand-new French studio would sweep the biggest stage in gaming, they’d probably laugh you out of the room. But here we are in early 2026, and the dust is finally settling on the most chaotic awards season in recent memory.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 isn't just a winner; it's a statement.
When Sandfall Interactive walked onto the stage at The Game Awards back in December, they didn't just pick up a trophy. They grabbed nine. They broke the record for the most wins in the show’s history, beating out heavyweights like Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and the long-awaited Hollow Knight: Silksong. It’s rare to see a debut game take the top spot, let alone dominate the technical categories too.
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The Night That Changed Everything for Sandfall
Let’s be real for a second. The 2025 lineup was absolutely stacked. We had Hades II pushing the roguelike genre to its limit and Monster Hunter Wilds breaking sales records for Capcom. Even Donkey Kong Bananza brought that classic Nintendo polish to the new Switch 2 hardware.
Yet, when the final envelope was opened, it was Expedition 33.
The game’s victory in the Game of the Year category felt like a shift in the tectonic plates of the industry. It wasn't just a "jury favorite" thing either. While Wuthering Waves managed to snag the fan-voted Players' Voice award, Expedition 33 was the name on everyone’s lips across Metacritic, IGN, and GameSpot. It’s a dark, turn-based RPG that somehow feels more "next-gen" than the $200 million blockbusters we’re used to.
Why Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Actually Won
The premise is haunting. Basically, there’s this deity called the Paintress. Once a year, she wakes up and paints a number on a monolith. Everyone of that age instantly turns to dust. It’s grim. It’s high-concept. And honestly, it’s the kind of bold storytelling we haven't seen since the PS2-era experimental RPGs.
The "Expedition" refers to a group of survivors who travel into the Paintress’s territory to stop her. You’re playing as characters who know they’re essentially on a suicide mission.
Innovation in a Stale Genre
Most turn-based games involve clicking a menu and watching an animation. Expedition 33 changed the math. It introduced a reactive system where you have to parry and dodge in real-time during enemy turns. If you mess up the timing, you’re dead. It’s stressful, but in the best way possible.
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- Best Narrative: The writing hits hard because it deals with grief and legacy.
- Best Performance: Jennifer English (who you might know as Shadowheart from Baldur's Gate 3) won for her role as Maelle. Her performance is raw.
- Best Score: Lorien Testard’s soundtrack is a mix of orchestral swells and eerie silence that fits the "Belle Époque" aesthetic perfectly.
The game also swept Best Independent Game and Best Debut Indie. It’s a clean sweep that reminds us you don't need a thousand-person team to create a masterpiece.
The Contenders That Almost Made It
It’s worth talking about what Expedition 33 was up against. Death Stranding 2 was the betting favorite for a long time. Kojima’s sequel is a technical marvel, but some critics felt it was a bit too "Kojima" for the general audience.
Then there’s Hollow Knight: Silksong. After years of memes and "clown makeup" at every Nintendo Direct, it finally released. It won Best Action/Adventure, but it couldn't quite clinch the big one. Team Cherry created a perfect sequel, but Expedition 33 felt like something entirely new.
Hades II also put up a massive fight, winning Best Action Game. Supergiant Games doesn't miss. But even the God of the Dead had to bow down to the Paintress this year.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Win
A common misconception is that Expedition 33 won because 2025 was a "weak year." That’s just objectively false. 2025 gave us Civilization VII, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, and Ghost of Yōtei. It was one of the strongest years for gaming in the last decade.
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The reality is that Expedition 33 tapped into a specific desire for "prestige" gaming. It’s a game that respects the player’s intelligence. It doesn't have a map covered in 5,000 icons. It doesn't have predatory microtransactions. It’s just a complete, beautiful, and heartbreaking experience.
The Future of Gaming in 2026 and Beyond
As we move into 2026, the industry looks different. We’re already seeing the "GTA VI effect" starting to loom. Grand Theft Auto VI won Most Anticipated Game (obviously), and its November release date is already causing other studios to scramble their schedules.
But for now, the spotlight stays on the small team at Sandfall Interactive. They proved that a creative vision, when executed with this much polish, can beat the biggest franchises in the world.
Actionable Steps for Players and Developers
If you’re a gamer who hasn't touched Expedition 33 yet, go in blind. Don't look up guides for the Paintress encounters. The discovery is half the fun. It’s available on PS5, PC, and Xbox (including Game Pass), so there’s really no excuse.
For developers, the takeaway is clear: the "AA" space is where the real innovation is happening. Focus on a unique art style and a mechanical hook that feels active rather than passive.
- Check your platform: The game runs best on high-end PCs or PS5; the Switch 2 version is solid but has some minor frame drops in the later "Painted World" areas.
- Master the Parry: Spend the first three hours just practicing the timing. It’s the difference between a 40-hour playthrough and a 100-hour slog of death screens.
- Support Indie Studios: Sandfall’s success means more funding for weird, experimental projects. If you want more games like this, buy them at launch.
The era of the "safe" blockbuster might be fading. When an indie RPG takes Game of the Year, it’s a sign that players are hungry for something with a soul. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 isn't just a game; it’s a reminder of why we play these things in the first place. It’s about the journey, the impossible odds, and the stories that stay with you long after the credits roll.