Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Crowned Game of the Year at The Game Awards
The French-developed role-playing game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, dominated this year’s Game Awards, securing the coveted Game of the Year title and a total of nine wins.
The ceremony, held in Los Angeles, saw Clair Obscur triumph over a formidable lineup of contenders including Death Stranding 2, Donkey Kong Bananza, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Hades 2, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. The game, developed by Sandfall Interactive, also claimed victories in the categories of best narrative, best music, and best performance, solidifying its position as a critical and commercial success.
Clair Obscur is set in a unique world governed by a supernatural entity known as The Paintress, who prevents the population from aging beyond a certain point. The game follows a group of adventurers on a quest to dismantle The Paintress’s power, and has been lauded for its emotionally resonant storytelling and a return to classic turn-based combat mechanics. The story of Sandfall Interactive itself – a studio formed by former Ubisoft employees pursuing their creative vision – resonated deeply with players.
Accepting the Game of the Year award, director Guillaume Broche, sporting a signature red beret and striped t-shirt, described the year as a “weird timeline” for the studio, expressing gratitude to his team and the wider gaming community. He specifically acknowledged the often-overlooked contributors to the industry, stating, “We need to thank the unsung heroes… the people who make tutorials on YouTube on how to make a game, because we had no idea how to make one before.”
The game entered the awards as a clear favorite, having received a record-breaking 12 nominations. Composer Lorien Testard added to the studio’s success by winning the award for best score and music, a debut achievement sparked by sharing homemade video game music on SoundCloud. Actress Jennifer English secured the best performance award for her portrayal of Maelle, dedicating the honor “to every neurodivergent person watching.”
While Clair Obscur’s sweep was comprehensive, Battlefield 6 took home the prize for best audio design, and Wuthering Waves secured a surprise win in the fan-voted Player’s Voice category. Donkey Kong Bananza was recognized as the best family game, while Arc Raiders earned the title of best multiplayer game. Hollow Knight: Silksong was named best action-adventure, and Umamusume: Pretty Derby claimed the award for best mobile game.
Beyond the awards themselves, the Game Awards served as a platform for several major game announcements. Attendees received first looks at two new Tomb Raider games, a sequel to Control titled Control Resonant, and a new Star Wars role-playing game. Trailers also debuted for the upcoming Resident Evil 9, confirming the return of Leon Kennedy, and the PS5 shooter Saros. A remake of the original Tomb Raider was also confirmed, alongside a brand new entry in the series.
However, the Game Awards have faced ongoing criticism for prioritizing promotional content over the awards themselves. While this year’s show was praised for addressing some of these concerns, calls for greater acknowledgement of industry challenges – particularly widespread job losses – continue. Developers have also voiced concerns over the discontinuation of the Future Class scheme, an initiative designed to spotlight emerging talent. The scheme’s abrupt end prompted accusations of tokenism from former participants, particularly following its involvement in discussions surrounding the Israel-Gaza war. Last year, the ceremony recognized Amir Satvat with a “game changer” award for his efforts in assisting laid-off developers.
Organizers have been approached for comment regarding these criticisms. The Game Awards, despite its complexities, remains a pivotal event in the gaming calendar, blending celebration with a glimpse into the future of interactive entertainment.
