4 Reasons Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Is Tipped for Game of the Year

The combat system in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of the main reasons critics and players believe it deserves a Game of the Year nomination. Unlike traditional role-playing games that rely solely on turn-based combat, this title blends strategy with real-time mechanics to deliver a battle system that feels both tactical and visceral. Every encounter is designed to test not only planning but also reflexes, creating a new benchmark for RPG battles.

In Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, players choose from a variety of actions such as melee strikes, ranged attacks, items, and unique abilities. The ranged mechanics feature free-aim targeting, bringing the intensity of action games into a turn-based RPG format. To keep gameplay immersive, quick-time events (QTEs) are integrated into many abilities, requiring precise timing to unleash maximum damage. This ensures that every decision and every button press matters, enhancing player engagement and replay value.

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The innovation shines brightest when it comes to defense. During enemy turns, players are not passive spectators. Instead, they must react in real time, dodging wide-area attacks, parrying with frame-perfect precision, or jumping over strikes in platforming-style movements. Successful parries grant bonus ability points, allowing devastating counterattacks and rewarding those who master timing. This risk-and-reward system elevates combat and keeps even standard encounters as thrilling as boss fights.

What sets Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 apart is how its combat mechanics mirror its emotional narrative. The game’s story is about survival against overwhelming odds, and its battle system reinforces that theme by demanding precision, courage, and adaptability. Critics at Xbox News and Windows Central have praised this synergy, calling the gameplay loop “exhilarating, immersive, and addicting.” By redefining how turn-based combat can feel, this RPG has positioned itself as not just another fantasy title, but a groundbreaking experience worthy of Game of the Year status.

A Stunning Belle Époque-Inspired World

The world of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 immediately captivates as a dark fantasy environment rooted in the elegance of Belle Époque France, positioning it as a front-runner for Game of the Year. From the moment players glimpse the warped Eiffel Tower and shattered Arc de Triomphe, the game’s immersive visuals communicate a haunting yet surreal elegance that sets it apart.

Set in Lumière—a twisted, alternate Paris—the architectural vision fuses Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and neoclassical elements into environments that double as rich narrative devices. The city’s ornate streets and buildings, drenched in both splendor and decay, mirror the game’s themes of grief, memory, and fractured history.

Thanks to the power of Unreal Engine 5, the visuals transcend mere backdrop and become storytelling. Nanite and Lumen technologies deliver lifelike light and shadow, rendering every cobblestone street and fallen monument with dramatic fidelity that reinforces the noirish tone of the world. Critics have even likened the game to a moving painting, with each frame more breathtaking than the last.

This aesthetic isn’t just ornamental—it underpins the story’s emotional core. As players journey beyond Lumière into the fractured continent, the loss of Belle Époque grandeur underscores the expeditioners’ struggle and longing. The contrast between the idealized past and the grim present intensifies the narrative atmosphere and deepens player investment—another compelling reason why Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 may be this year’s Game of the Year.

Deep and Emotional Storytelling 

The narrative of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of the most compelling reasons the game is being hailed as a serious Game of the Year contender. It weaves a tragic yet poignant tapestry of grief, loss, and existential reflection—all conveyed through emotional storytelling, mature character arcs, and symbolic worldbuilding.

At its heart, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 tells the story of the Gommage—an annual, mystical erasure of lives determined by age—perpetuated by the enigmatic Paintress, who marks the Monolith with a number every year. This premise immediately sets a melancholic tone, emphasizing mortality and the fragility of existence.

What elevates the storytelling is the game’s nuanced, mature cast. Unlike typical RPGs filled with wide-eyed teens, this game features protagonists shaped by quiet resilience and existential dread. Their introspective, grounded portrayals echo themes of coping with trauma and finding meaning despite impending loss.

Many reviewers and players praise the narrative’s emotional weight. Vice summarized it as “a story of loss, grief, and how a group of complex individuals deal with trauma,” emphasizing its quiet power and capacity to leave a lasting impression. GamingTrend also lauded the game’s “elaborate story with complex themes,” noting how these mature narrative threads enrich the entire experience

On Reddit, one user reflected:

“It’s a game about grief and the definition of what it means to be alive. … This last act… gives you something to think about even after the credits roll.”

This quote highlights the depth of resonance the narrative has with players—elevating it beyond mere fantasy and turning it into an emotional journey that lingers.

A central narrative element is the struggle between light and dark, not just stylistically but thematically. The interplay of memory and hope against despair and loss is woven into every beat of the story. This contrast is further reflected artistically through the game’s use of chiaroscuro—the literal meaning behind Clair Obscur—to reinforce dualities of optimism and sorrow.

Combined with its immersive narrative atmosphere, thoughtful exploration of grief, and breath-taking storytelling, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 exemplifies the kind of emotionally resonant gaming experience that deserves recognition as Game of the Year.

World-Class Voice Acting and Music 

The voice acting and musical score in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 are key pillars elevating the experience and fortifying its reputation as a standout Game of the Year contender. The game enlisted high-profile voice actors including Charlie Cox (Gustave), Andy Serkis (Renoir), Jennifer English (Maelle), Ben Starr (Verso), Kirsty Rider (Lune), Shala Nyx (Sciel), Rich Keeble (Monoco), and Maxence Cazorla (Esquie)—each delivering nuanced voiceover performances that bring genuine emotional resonance to the characters.

Meanwhile, the soundtrack score, composed by Lorien Testard, is a breakthrough in immersive audio design. Testard, initially discovered via SoundCloud, crafted an expansive 154-track score over five years, his first commercial video game composition . The soundtrack charts speak for themselves—topping Billboard’s Classical and Classical Crossover charts, while also securing high placements on Official Soundtrack and Download charts in the UK .

The musical experience also incorporates distinct vocal talent, particularly from soprano Alice Duport-Percier, whose performances in tracks like “Lumière,” “Alicia,” and “Une vie à t’aimer” have resonated widely—earning both her and Testard over a million monthly Spotify listeners within weeks of launch. These lyrical compositions, paired with orchestral and ambient elements, layer on emotional depth that reinforces narrative gravity and character arcs.

Testard’s score also reflects the game’s French identity and psychological tone. He describes the inclusion of whimsical touches—like the accordion in the mime battle theme—as both a “duty and a guilty pleasure,” melding emotional gravitas with moments of levity. Complex sequences such as the sirène dungeon were composed using classical guitar, low whistle, and spatialized vocals to evoke tenderness and tension, while the chaotic Gestral areas received playful, character-driven motifs.

Collectively, this synthesis of exceptional voice acting, sophisticated soundtrack score, and thoughtful audio motifs enhances the immersive sound design of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. These elements augment storytelling, support the dark fantasy atmosphere, and contribute significantly to the game’s positioning as a powerful Game of the Year candidate.