Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 makes history as indie RPG becomes most decorated title at Game Awards
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 made Game Awards history by winning nine trophies, including Game of the Year, cementing the debut indie RPG as the most decorated title the show has ever seen.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has made Game Awards history, becoming the most decorated title ever at the ceremony and marking a rare breakthrough moment for an independent RPG.
The debut project from French studio Sandfall Interactive won nine awards at this year’s show in Los Angeles, including the top prize of Game of the Year.
It also received trophies for Best Narrative, Best Game Direction, Best Art Direction, Best Score and Music, Best RPG, Best Independent Game, Best Debut Indie Game and Best Performance for actress Jennifer English.
With 13 nominations in total, Clair Obscur surpassed previous records held by The Last of Us Part II, which won seven awards in a single night in 2020.
Other recent heavy hitters, such as Baldur’s Gate III and God of War Ragnarök, never reached that level of dominance.
Taking to the stage to accept the Game of the Year trophy, Clair Obscur game director Guillaume Broche extended his thanks “to the unsung heroes of this industry”.
He added: “The people who make tutorials on YouTube on how to make a game because we had no idea how to make a game before. So, thank you.”
Set in a striking, painterly world where a supernatural figure known as The Paintress limits human lifespan, Clair Obscur blends traditional turn-based combat with an emotionally driven story about resistance, sacrifice and identity.
Other wins at The Game Awards 2025 include Doom: The Dark Ages (Innovation in Accessibility), Battlefield 6 (Best Audio Design), South of Midnight (Games for Impact) and Hades II (Best Action Game).
