Move over, AAA giants—there’s a new RPG phenomenon in town, and it didn’t need a cast of thousands to make magic happen. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has exploded onto the scene, smashing past 2 million sales and dazzling players with a jaw-dropping 9.7/10 user score on Metacritic. The twist? This genre-defying triumph comes courtesy of just 30 developers at Sandfall Interactive, a studio that’s rewriting the rules of what an indie team can achieve.

CEO Guillaume Broche credits their small size for the game’s lightning-fast creative process. “At a big publisher, a project like this would get buried under layers of approvals—if it got made at all,” Broche shared recently. “Here, we could chase wild ideas, pack the game with inside jokes, and craft an atmosphere that feels genuinely fresh. That’s the indie advantage.”

That freedom is everywhere in Expedition 33—from its slick, turn-based battles that nod to RPG classics, to its unpredictable story beats and lovingly weird character moments. The team’s “band of friends” energy is palpable, giving the game a distinct personality that’s tough to find amid the focus-tested sprawl of blockbuster releases.

• 2+ million copies sold within days—blowing past the studio’s wildest expectations
• 9.7/10 Metacritic user score, making it 2025’s top-rated player favorite
• Developed by just 30 core team members, with targeted external help

Critics have taken notice too, with Expedition 33 now neck and neck with the year’s other top-rated releases. Many are calling it a must-play for fans of classic Final Fantasy or anyone tired of the genre’s risk-averse rut. And while Sandfall did outsource some production details, it was the tight-knit core that steered the creative ship—resulting in a game that feels bold, cohesive, and unmistakably personal.

Of course, the indie path is never easy—Broche admits the journey involved plenty of sleepless nights and leaps of faith. But Expedition 33 is living proof that creative risks can deliver massive rewards. Its success may just inspire a new wave of developers to cut through industry red tape and bring their own wild visions to life.

In a year packed with heavy-hitting RPGs, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stands tall as a testament to what a small, passionate team can do when they’re given the freedom to dream—and the guts to move fast. If you’re wondering what all the fuss is about, now’s the perfect time to dive in and see why this indie darling has taken the gaming world by storm.