Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has become the big surprise of the year, achieving spectacular sales figures and garnering praise from both the public and critics. Many consider this French RPG one of the most outstanding titles of recent times, both for its gameplay and for the media phenomenon it has generated.
From official launch in April 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC –along with its release on Game Pass–, the game has exceeded two million copies sold in just twelve daysA figure that, according to Kepler Interactive and Sandfall Interactive, positions Expedition 33 well above expectations for a first independent project.
An atypical development and an unusual success story
The case of Sandfall Interactive is unique in the industry. Most of its approximately thirty members are former Ubisoft employees or young talents recruited from online communities during the pandemic. Creative director Guillaume Broche left his job at Ubisoft during the lockdown and founded the studio in 2020, selecting the lead writer and composer – Jennifer Svedberg-Yen and Lorien Testard, respectively – through forums like Reddit and SoundCloud. This unconventional way of forming the team has, in hindsight, turned out to be one of the keys to the freshness of the proposal.
33 Expedition It is inspired by the great Japanese classics of turn-based role-playing games, especially Final Fantasy and Persona, but all with a European identity marked by the French Belle Époque setting. The result is a game that challenges the genre's conventions and connects with both veterans and new players. It's worth mentioning that they've managed to capture the classic world map in one of the most aesthetically pleasing ways seen in modern RPGs.
It is not surprising, therefore, that the own reception has been so positive: Not only did sales soar in its first 24 hours – with half a million units shipped – but the title soon reached scores above 90 on Metacritic and other rating platforms.
International impact and institutional recognition
Success Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has transcended the strictly commercial. French President Emmanuel Macron himself publicly highlighted the studio's achievement on social media, congratulating the team for "being a shining example of French creativity and audacity." These words came not only after the announcement of the million copies sold within three days of launch, but also as a recognition of the international impact that the work has hadOn the other hand, the development team's curious and comical response was a "baguette" emoji.
Macron's message reflects national pride in a cultural product that has successfully brought elements of French history and aesthetics to the forefront of the global gaming landscape. The setting and nods to French culture have been praised by critics and gamers around the world.
The unexpected debut of Expedition 33 has also served to start debates regarding the role of modest studios compared to large companies, and how imagination and risk-taking when designing new proposals can make a difference in an increasingly homogeneous sector.
A dark fantasy adventure with its own identity
Much of the appeal of Expedition 33 resides in its world and its mechanicsWe're immersed in a dark, dreamlike universe, where each year the mysterious figure of "The Painter" eliminates the entire population that reaches a certain age. We take on the role of a group of expeditionaries determined to break this cycle, uncovering the mysteries behind the hand that dictates the destiny of humanity. The combat combines classic turn-based strategies with real-time dodging and blocking mechanics, providing dynamism and freshness.
What's more, Music has also become one of the great protagonists of success. The original soundtrack by Lorien Testard includes more than 150 themes and has been streamed more than 18 million times on streaming platforms in just a few weeks. Billboard has placed the album at the top of the classical and crossover music charts, further consolidating the phenomenon both within and outside of the gaming world.
Industry figures, such as Japanese developer Kazutaka Kodaka, have publicly highlighted the proposal as "the future of RPGs", highlighting the global connection the work has generated and how it has served as a meeting point for creative sensibilities from different countries. Another distinguishing factor is the voice cast, which includes names like Ben Starr, Jennifer English, Charlie Cox, and Andy Serkis, which has brought personality and charisma to the narrative.
Success Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has also sparked discussions about the role of independent studios in the video game industry.. The commitment to original ideas and a solid narrative has proven that talent and passion can overcome large budgets and advertising campaigns.
