Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has emerged as one of the most acclaimed video games of 2025, earning critical and commercial success within days of its release. Developed by Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive, the turn-based role-playing game (RPG) has secured the highest Metacritic rating for a game released this year and boasts one of the highest user scores of all time. Remarkably, the game achieved this despite launching on day one through Xbox Game Pass and facing competition from the surprise release of Oblivion Remastered. Within just over 24 hours of launch, Clair Obscur surpassed half a million units in sales, establishing itself as a breakout success in the JRPG landscape.
Industry Veterans Weigh In
The game’s achievements have not gone unnoticed by industry veterans. David Gaider, former lead writer for the Dragon Age series, praised Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on social media, drawing a direct comparison to Baldur’s Gate 3, a game widely credited with revitalizing the computer RPG (CRPG) genre. “So far, it’s kind of to JRPGs what Baldur’s Gate 3 was to CRPGs,” Gaider wrote, applauding its beauty, polish, engaging turn-based combat, and strong writing. Fans responded by highlighting the game’s tonal balance, which masterfully combines emotional depth with moments of levity, thanks to characters like Esquie and the comedic gestrals.
Gaider echoed this sentiment, stating, “In order for the lows to have meaning, you need the highs.” His comments reflect the importance of emotional variety in storytelling, a trait Clair Obscur seems to have mastered. The comparison to Baldur’s Gate 3 is especially meaningful, as that title helped reignite mainstream interest in the CRPG genre after years of relative obscurity. Similarly, Gaider’s comments suggest Clair Obscur could play a pivotal role in broadening the appeal of JRPGs.
A French Studio’s Tribute to Japanese Design
Although Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was developed in France, the game deeply channels Japanese RPG traditions, embodying stylistic and narrative elements typically associated with the genre. This has led many to consider it a true JRPG in spirit, regardless of its Western origin. Whether Gaider’s praise points to the game’s high quality or its commercial impact, the comparison to Baldur’s Gate 3 places Clair Obscur in elite company.
JRPGs have often enjoyed dedicated fan bases but have struggled to consistently achieve mainstream global success outside of major franchises. Clair Obscur’s exceptional reception and accessible availability across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Game Pass could signal a broader appetite for high-quality JRPGs with modern design sensibilities. If the industry sees a wave of similarly ambitious JRPG projects in the coming years, Clair Obscur may be credited as a turning point for the genre—much like Baldur’s Gate 3 has been for CRPGs.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is currently available for purchase and streaming on major platforms, inviting players worldwide to experience what some are calling a modern JRPG masterpiece.
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