Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is nominated for a record 13 awards at The Game Awards 2025, and while it seems likely to win most of them, chances are it won't win them all. There has been a lot of hype for it Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 ever since it was first revealed to the world, it's safe to say that it has exceeded expectations. Establishing itself as one of the highest rated new game releases of the year, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the clear favorite to win Game of the Year at this year's Game Awards.
The Game Awards, which will take place on December 11, have Expedition 33 competing for game of the year against the likes of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Donkey Kong Banana, Hades 2, Hollow Knight: Silk Songand Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. Despite the fierce opposition, Expedition 33 will most likely win the top prize.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Do Two Things I Hate, And It's Still My Game of the Year
Clair Obscur: Expedition has two of my big darlings in an RPG and yet it's still the best game I played in 2025.
If Expedition 33 wins Game of the Year, it goes without saying that it will sweep the other categories it is nominated in one by one. Game Awards sweeps have happened before, and history is likely to repeat itself. But while it seems obvious that a Game of the Year win for Expedition 33 will lead to wins for Best Game Direction, Best Independent Game, and Best RPG, the beloved game by Sandfall Interactive may have a harder time securing wins in four specific categories.
Every award Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is nominated for The Game Awards 2025
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Game of the year
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Best game direction
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Best story
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Best Art Direction
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Best score and music
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Best Sound Design
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Best performance
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Charlie Cox as Gustave
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Jennifer English as Maelle
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Ben Starr as Verso
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Best independent game
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Best Indie Debut Game
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Best RPG
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The voice of the players
Why Expedition 33 Might Not Win Best Art Direction
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a beautiful game with a haunting art style that perfectly captures its generally depressing tone. It's a visual masterpiece as much as it is a gameplay masterpiece and there's no denying that, but what could cost it in this category is the competition and what the voters are looking for. Yes, Expedition 33 looks amazing, though Ghost of Yotei and Death Stranding 2: On the Beach have photorealistic graphics that can help put them over the top. Other games nominated in the category include Hades 2 and Hollow Knight: Silk Songboth of which have their strengths, but I think this category will ultimately be a battle between Expedition 33, Death Stranding 2and Ghost of Yotei.
Why Expedition 33 might not win Best Sound Design
The music in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is nothing short of magnificent. It's rightfully one of the best video game soundtracks of all time, and it's arguable that it's the best. That's why I think so Expedition 33 is a safe bet for best score and music and if it loses in that category I will be shocked. The game's sound design is incredibly impressive as well, but not to the point where I don't think it has any serious competition in the category.
When it comes to the best sound design, Expedition 33 is against Battlefield 6which utilizes sound quite brilliantly in its online multiplayer battles, Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yoteiand Silent Hill b. i think Battlefield 6 however, is the favorite to win here ARC Raiders was definitely snubbed and probably would have won the award if it had been nominated.
Why the Expedition 33 might not win Best Performance
One of the main reasons why Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has received almost universal praise is due to the emotionally charged performances that bring its memorable characters to life. These performances have secured Expedition 33 a whopping three nominations in a single category, with Charlie Cox as Gustave, Jennifer English as Maelle and Ben Starr as Verso all nominated. But the fact that there is three Expedition 33 performances to choose from may cause the game to lose that category.
Expedition 33 enthusiasts may disagree on who performed best in the game. Some may have loved Cox as Gustave, while others may have preferred Jennifer English as Maelle, and others still may swear by Ben Starr as Verso. The Expedition 33 the vote will effectively be split three ways in the Performance category, giving other actors and their performances a better chance of winning.
Besides Expedition 33 performances, there are three other nominees for The Game Awards 2025. Troy Baker's impressive portrayal of Indiana Jones from Indiana Jones and the Great Circlewhich proved to be an absolute death knell for Harrison Ford, is in contention, as is Erika Ishii's powerful turn as Atsu i Ghost of Yotei. Konatsu Kato, who did an excellent job as Hinako Shimizu in Silent Hill bis also current for the price. i think Indiana Jones may be overlooked as the fact that it was originally released in 2024, which may give the advantage for Ghost of Yotei. Of course one Expedition 33 performance could still win, but I have my doubts.
Why Expedition 33 might not win the player's vote
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has gathered a large fan base that loves the game. That's why it made it to the finals of the Players' Voice poll. Unfortunately, it has to contend with not one, but two different gacha games in the form of Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves. Gacha games have rewarded their fans for voting for the player's vote by giving away free in-game items, and so it can tip the scale and cost Expedition 33 the Players Voice award. Then again maybe Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves both being in the vote will split the gacha vote and work in Expedition 33s service.
Overall, I think Expedition 33 still has the chance to win all these awards, although its victory is not as predictable. It will be interesting to see what the prices are Expedition 33 manage to win when The Game Awards go live on Thursday, December 11 at 7:00 PM CST.
- Released
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April 24, 2025
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer
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Sandfall Interactive
- Publisher
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Kepler Interactive
