Expedition 33 After Controversial Game Awards Comments

Michael “Shroud” Grzesiek has finally given in and played Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Seven hours later, he concluded that he likes the game, marking a slight change of heart from his earlier comments that sparked controversy among Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 fans.

In early November 2025, Shroud invited its fans to choose ARC Raiders over Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 in any game of the year award by popular vote. He argued that multiplayer titles have long been underrepresented at awards ceremonies and suggested that if one were to finally win the top honor, ARC Raiders would be a worthy choice. “Don't let that expedition game win the game of the year,” he said, urging everyone to “come together” and help ARC Raiders do so instead, while adding that “multiplayer players are the minority.” The comments were withdrawn from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 fans, but also called for wider scrutiny. For example, the fact that multiplayer games have dominated bestseller lists for years led some to question Shroud's definition of a “minority audience”, while others criticized him for dismissing Sandfall Interactive's RPG without having played it.

Family

Shroud accuses Game Awards of being 'rigged'

Shroud's reaction to this year's nominations turned into a scathing accusation after his favorite shooter failed to make the Game of the Year list.

Shroud Finally Plays Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Ends Up Like It

In response to some of the backlash his comments had received, Shroud later promised that if Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won the GOTY award at The Game Awards 2025, he would play it. He followed through on that promise on Dec. 21 during a 12-hour stream that began with ARC Raiders but ended up focusing primarily on the award-winning RPG. After playing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for about seven hours, the Twitch star admitted that he liked it—or, more accurately, that he liked what he'd seen so far.

Asmongold told Shroud He'd Like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 If He Gave It a Chance

“Dare I say Asmongold was right,” Shroud commented near the end of the stream, around 12:25:32. “He said when I play this game after it wins Game of the Year, I'm going to enjoy it.” Following up on that line of thinking, the streamer admitted that while it might be premature to conclude that he likes the whole package, he was optimistic about his chances of doing so. “The game can't get any worse, it's only going to get better,” he said. At the time, he was about seven hours into the story, having already explored a handful Clair Obscur: Expedition 33s early slots and gathered a party of three.

Like many others, Shroud Clair likes Obscur Combat even though he doesn't normally like turn-based RPGs

Near the end of the stream, Shroud repeated his earlier comments, saying, “The game is cool, I like it.” He specifically praised the game, noting that he had enjoyed learning Clair Obscur: Expedition 33s parry system. His comments echoed those of many players who don't usually engage in turn-based RPGs but ended up liking this one; Shroud admitted that he is not usually a fan of the genre and wasn't sure he would have enjoyed the game as much without its engaging real-time combat component. The Twitch star didn't give much thought to the story, noting that while the pace picked up when he finished the stream, storytelling isn't something he usually looks for in a game.

Although Shroud did not go back on his earlier claim that ARC Raiders deserves a GOTY award win Clair Obscur: Expedition 33the fact that he ended up enjoying the latter underscores the broad mainstream appeal that Sandfall Interactive managed to achieve with its debut title. Reflecting on its growing fandom, the French developer recently revealed that it has already begun early work on its next game. In an October 2025 interview, Sandfall CEO and creative director Guillaume Broche described the upcoming title as “very unique and artistic”, while noting that the studio does not plan to significantly expand its headcount for the project.

Released

April 24, 2025

ESRB

Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence

Developer

Sandfall Interactive

Publisher

Kepler Interactive

Source: Dexerto