Should it be possible for a developer to win Game of the Year with its very first project? The answer is yes — of course — but the chances of it actually happening have always seemed slim. Debut studio Sandfall Interactive, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, has now proven it's possible. The engrossing French RPG has gripped the gaming community ever since its April release, and its overriding quality and flair have launched the product into the popularity stratosphere.
It deserves all the attention and accolades, for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 represents the very best of gaming: gripping, entertaining, stunning, fascinating, unusual, comical, and outstanding. It wins the Push Square Game of the Year award by a landslide.
The game is made up of fairly familiar mechanics and gameplay ideas, with a turn-based combat system based around parrying fuelling an experience of narrative wonder and incredible presentation. However, the way they are put together gives the RPG its charm.
Every year, the Paintress puts a number on her Monolith, and anyone of that age turns to dust. As she paints "33", it falls on Gustave and friends to journey across The Continent to put a stop to her deadly illustrations.
This setup gives way to both a magical and heartbreaking journey, elevated by industry-leading character interactions, dialogue, and voice acting. With the likes of Charlie Cox, Jennifer English, Ben Starr, and Andy Serkis on board, the plot is brought to life through incredible performances. In between their lines are emotional, catchy, and wild tunes to fit the varied areas you'll encounter during the voyage.
Combat is the other driver behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which uses turn-taking, parries, and blocks to add style to the tried and trusted features of a classic Final Fantasy. Every party member has their own way of dealing damage and using abilities, each bringing a genuine uniqueness to the crew as they're recruited through the plot. It's a game that lets you break its combat system and then revel in it, with Pictos packing absurd effects and damage multipliers.
Narrative and combat combined, the Sandfall Interactive joint is already a level above most other 2025 releases. With a glorious soundtrack, quirky scenarios, beautiful environments, bold cinematography, and memorable encounters on top, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has it all. That's why it comfortably sits top of our annual Game of the Year vote.
Sandfall Interactive will never be able to replicate this sense of surprise and delight, as its name now carries significant weight after such a stunning debut. Its next game will be hotly anticipated, whereas it was only hoped its debut would be good. For now, though, it's able to bask in the glory of its many accolades and look to the future with full confidence.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, our worthy Game of the Year winner.