Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has set the world document for most Game of the Year awards, surpassing FromSoftware’s Elden Ring.(*33*)
Final week, IGN reported that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was as soon as once more sweeping award nominations, this time at the Game Builders Selection Awards, the place it has been nominated for all however one award, and earlier that very same week, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 completely dominated the Annual D.I.C.E. Award Nominations together with Ghost of Yotei.(*33*)
Even with with the BAFTAs, DICE, GDC Awards and extra nonetheless to go, ResetEra’s Angie — who’s been keeping an eye on all the nominations and wins — experiences that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has clocked up a staggering 436 awards, surpassing prior top-spot-holder, Elden Ring, which has 429. The remainder of the prime 5 is rounded out by The Final of Us Half II (326 awards), Baldur’s Gate 3 (288), and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (281).(*33*)
Offering most of their workings and rationale, Angie additionally believes Expedition 33 has secured extra Gamers’ Selection awards than the rest — The Final of Half II obtained 115, Elden Ring 97, Baldur’s Gate III has 89, whereas Sandfall’s record-breaking JRPG has 125 — however apparently, when Game of the Year wins are calculated by the share of whole awards given out throughout the launch yr, Clair Obscur takes the bronze. Although it has scooped 70% of all the awards given out this yr, Road Fighter II obtained 80% again in 2005, and 1998’s The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time did even higher at 87%.(*33*)
Not all award years are equal, of course — the quantity of awards will depend on the quantity of retailers/organizations publishing a Game of the Year winner (Clair Obscur was IGN’s 2025 sport of the yr), and this checklist consists of awards given not simply by gaming press, but additionally newspapers, radios, podcasts, and extra — however it’s nonetheless a testomony to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s impression. Hop on over to ResetEra for the full list (thanks, GamesRadar).(*33*)
It has been an unimaginable time for Sandfall, which has discovered itself thrust into the mainstream following Clair Obscur’s success. Even French president Emmanuel Macron celebrated the sport for successful Game of the Year. Nevertheless it’s not all optimistic for Sandfall with regards to sport awards, nevertheless. Final month, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was stripped of two awards from the Indie Game Awards after its alleged use of generative AI hit the headlines.(*33*)
Whereas accepting the Game of the Year award finally month’s The Game Awards, Sandfall shadow-dropped new DLC and Patch 1.5.0, which introduces new location Verso’s Drafts and a few really difficult boss fights. (*33*)
IGN’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 assessment returned a 9/10. We mentioned: “Sporting its inspirations on its sleeve, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 paints itself into the pantheon of nice RPGs with a superb fight system and a gripping, harrowing story.” This is a Useful Information for Novices for those who’re seeking to give it a strive, too.(*33*)
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, in addition to a critic, columnist, and guide with 15+ years expertise working with some of the world’s greatest gaming websites and publications. She’s additionally a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually Excessive Chaos. Discover her at BlueSky.(*33*)