The incessant cheering of video game enthusiasts echoes through the digital realm, celebrating the magnificent achievement of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which has just snagged the prestigious Game of the Year award at the 2025 Game Awards. Who knew that virtual adventures could lead to such real-world acclaim? The humorous truth is, this French masterpiece by Sandfall Interactive didn’t just settle for the top prize—it strolled away with an entourage of accolades like a celebrity at a red carpet event.
When the confetti settled, it was revealed that this gloriously impressive RPG had collected a staggering total of nine shiny trophies, including Best Indie Game, Best Debut Indie Game, and Best Art Direction. It’s almost as if the game pulled a Houdini and made the competition disappear, leaving behind a bewildered audience and a shadow of its former rivals. The only moments of whispering disappointment for the team came from not winning Best Audio Design (congratulations to Battlefield 6, the show-off) and the Players’ Voice award, which went to Wuthering Waves. Apparently, players didn’t consult the award-winning ‘experts’ when casting their votes.
Record-Breaking Streaks
One might say Clair Obscur is the overachiever of the night. With a whopping 13 nominations, it officially broke the previously unbreakable record and now holds the title for the highest number of awards won in the history of these awards. The previous record-holder, The Last of Us Part II, is now begrudgingly looking back at its mere seven golden statues. Ouch, talk about a glow-up! While plenty of other titles were graced with nominations, none could muster up the bravery needed to claim more than a single award. It truly was the Clair Obscur show that evening.
Full List of Winners and Nominees
(Winners in bold and red)
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GAME OF THE YEAR
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive/Kepler Interactive)
- Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Hades II
- Split Fiction
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BEST NARRATIVE
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive/Kepler Interactive)
- Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
- Silent Hill f
-
BEST ART DIRECTION
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive/Kepler Interactive)
- Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Hades II
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
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BEST SCORE AND MUSIC
- Christopher Larkin, Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Darren Korb, Hades II
- Lorien Testard, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Toma Otowa, Ghost of Yōtei
- Woodkid and Ludvig Forssell, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
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BEST PERFORMANCE
- Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Charlie Cox, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Erika Ishii, Ghost of Yōtei
- Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Konatsu Kato, Silent Hill f
- Troy Baker, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
In conclusion, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 essentially snatched the spotlight while others quietly sulked in the shadow, awkwardly clutching their nominations. Perhaps next year, competitors should consider packing their game in an already decorated trophy case to avoid escalating embarrassment. For now, however, Sandfall Interactive can bask in this victory, confidently pirouetting in their digital realm of triumph. Who could have imagined that gaming glory could be so delightfully dramatic?
