2 Million Copies Sold in Just 12 Days — and It’s Only Getting Started
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has emerged as an unexpected juggernaut in a gaming year packed with remakes and familiar franchises. This indie RPG sensation has taken the gaming world by storm. French developer Sandfall Interactive and publisher Kepler Interactive have not only delivered a breakout hit, but a potential Game of the Year contender.
After hitting 1 million sales within just 72 hours of launch, the game has now crossed the 2 million milestone—despite launching day one on Xbox Game Pass. That alone is a statement: Clair Obscur is not just being played; it’s being bought, praised, and lived by millions.
“We’ve watched in awe as so many of you began your journey,” the developers wrote on social media. “Feeling every step, every emotion, every revelation alongside you.”
The French Underdog That Outshined a Giant
Few expected Clair Obscur to shine during the same week Bethesda surprise-dropped The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. But rather than being buried, Clair Obscur flourished. According to Kepler Interactive’s senior portfolio manager Matt Handrahan, it wasn’t competition—it was synergy.
“Proximity to Oblivion didn’t harm us at all. It just drew more attention to quality RPGs that week,” he said. “And we were confident in Expedition 33’s unique identity.”
That confidence has paid off. Even French President Emmanuel Macron publicly congratulated the team at Sandfall, calling the game “a triumph for French creativity and innovation.”
Why It’s Being Called a GOTY Contender
Despite being a debut title, Clair Obscur checks every box the awards season adores:
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✅ It’s an indie success – Judges often lean toward fresh, smaller studios with big ideas. Think Hades or Hollow Knight.
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✅ It’s multiplatform – No exclusivity walls here; it’s playable across platforms with no platform bias.
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✅ It’s a graphics showcase – Stunning visuals set in an ethereal oil-painting-like world that makes every screenshot feel like art.
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✅ It innovates classic gameplay – Taking a well-worn turn-based combat system and reimagining it with timing-based mechanics like parrying, dodging, and leaping through enemy attacks.
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✅ It’s musically exceptional – With battle themes that invoke comparisons to Final Fantasy XIII and emotional boss anthems featuring powerful vocals, the soundtrack is poised to become a live awards show centerpiece.
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✅ It was released mid-year – Not too early, not too late, giving it staying power for year-end discussions.
A Game That Grew on Skeptics
However, what truly sets Clair Obscur apart is how it has won over even the skeptics. Fans who typically dislike turn-based games have praised its dynamic combat. The shift between cinematic exploration and combat creates a living rhythm that keeps players engaged, while the story unfolds with unexpected twists, strong emotional beats, and characters that genuinely evolve.
“I despise turn-based combat, but after a few battles, it grew on me. I’d play more games made in this style.”
Even where criticism exists—like narrow exploration areas or dense systems—the sheer ambition and polish from such a young studio offsets any minor flaws. There’s a palpable energy to the game that can’t be faked. It feels crafted, not manufactured.
A Glimpse at Gaming’s Future
As the game industry contends with AI tools, rising development costs, and franchise fatigue, Clair Obscur is a reminder that bold ideas can still thrive. It’s not a sequel, not a reboot, not a billion-dollar IP. It’s just a damn good game, built with vision and care.
Whether or not it ultimately takes home the GOTY crown, it has already secured something arguably more valuable: the love and respect of players worldwide.
