Since its launch on April 24, Sandfall Interactive’s debut RPG, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, has become a breakout success-selling over two million copies and turning heads well beyond the typical JRPG crowd. But it’s not just the spellbinding gameplay or lush visuals capturing fans: composer Lorien Testard’s sweeping soundtrack has become a cultural event in its own right, dominating global music charts and sparking calls for a live symphonic concert.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 arrived with little fanfare compared to blockbuster franchises, but word of mouth and glowing reviews have fueled the French studio’s dream debut. Its atmospheric world and strategic turn-based combat have drawn comparisons to genre icons, while its narrative and visual style set a new bar for Western-developed RPGs. The real wild card, though, has been the game’s soundtrack-whose meteoric rise is unlike anything seen in recent years.
According to Sandfall Interactive, the original soundtrack—crafted by Lorien Testard in his first project of this scale—has been streamed over 18 million times since launch. That’s not just impressive for a debut; it’s virtually unprecedented for a brand new RPG. The score quickly vaulted to #1 on both Billboard’s Classical Album Chart and Classical Crossover Album Chart. In the UK, the success continued, with the album debuting at #13 on the Official Soundtrack Album Chart and #31 on the Official Album Download Chart.
Industry veterans and newcomers alike have praised not only Testard’s compositions but also the haunting vocals of Alice Duport-Percier, whose performance adds emotional weight to the sprawling narrative. The soundtrack’s success extends the game’s reach, introducing RPG music to new audiences who might otherwise overlook the genre.
This surge in popularity has naturally sparked fan hopes for a live symphonic concert. Given the soundtrack’s chart dominance and social media buzz, it feels like only a matter of time before Clair Obscur’s music graces a concert stage, following the footsteps of industry legends like Final Fantasy and NieR. But what’s most striking is how quickly this new IP has made its mark—both as a game and a cultural phenomenon.
Available now on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is more than just a promising RPG debut—it’s proof that ambitious soundtracks and fresh creative vision can still set the genre ablaze. The journey of Expedition 33 is far from over, and if fan demand is any indication, its music may soon echo in concert halls worldwide. Will this success inspire other studios to invest more in original, emotionally resonant scores?
TL;DR: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has sold over two million copies since April 24, while its original soundtrack is shattering records, topping Billboard’s classical charts and amassing 18 million streams. With a live concert in demand and the game available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series, this French RPG is making waves well beyond the genre’s usual borders.
Source: Sandfall Interactive via GamesPress