Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Topples Elden Ring — 436 GOTYs and Counting

This caught my attention because a small French studio just reshaped the modern GOTY conversation: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has racked up 436 Game of the Year awards and is still adding to that total – a remarkable feat for a debut team balancing live patches and ongoing expansion plans.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s Record-Shattering GOTY Dominance

• Record: Expedition 33 stands at 436 GOTY wins, edging past Elden Ring’s 429.
• Why it matters: A turn-based RPG with real-time parry windows crossed into mainstream acclaim and Game Pass reach, accelerating adoption.
• Not finished: Post-launch support (patch 1.3, NG+, co-op raids) and an upcoming paid DLC keep the game evolving – and still collectible for awards.
• Concerns: One indie award was revoked after Sandfall admitted limited generative-AI use for ideation, raising questions about transparency amid hype.

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Publisher|Kepler Interactive
Release Date|Late 2025
Category|Turn-based RPG with real-time parry mechanics
Platform|PC (Steam/Epic), PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (day-one)
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Why the awards keep coming

Critics rewarded Expedition 33 for the unusual mix of stylish presentation, mechanical novelty, and wide availability. Sandfall’s Belle Époque-inspired visuals and a combat loop that combines tactical planning (Pictos/glyphs) with twitchy parry windows give reviewers the talking points they love: originality plus accessible challenge. Add a day-one Game Pass presence and a high-profile sweep at The Game Awards, and you have momentum that multiplies across hundreds of outlets – including smaller sites that often decide year-end lists late.

Gameplay: what it actually plays like (and why people care)

Under the surface Expedition 33 is elegant: team-based encounters that reward build variety, split-second parries that siphon or conserve a shared resource (Lumina), and Pictos that create distinct meta combinations. The hybrid design lets strategy players layer planning over tense moments that feel like a soulslike without being punishingly opaque. That accessibility, combined with co-op raids and NG+, helps explain both critical love and active community growth.

How it stacks up against Elden Ring

Comparisons are inevitable. Elden Ring remains the deeper open-world experience with massive exploration and a larger installed base, but Expedition 33 wins on novelty and immediate approachability — especially for players who enjoy tactical systems rather than pure action. Elden’s prestige was built on scope and influence; Expedition 33’s record reflects concentrated consensus among critics this cycle and the amplifying effect of platform exposure (Game Pass) and consistent post-launch updates.

Concerns and caveats

The controversy over generative-AI use (one Indie award reverted) matters because it tests how transparent studios must be during awards season. Sandfall’s quick disclosure and the community’s reaction show that goodwill can be fragile. Technically, the game isn’t “finished” in a traditional boxed sense — active patches and DLC are planned — which raises questions about how we evaluate “best of the year” for works that are still evolving.

What this means for players

For players: Expedition 33 is a safe buy if you like thoughtful, stylish RPGs and want a current multiplayer scene. Game Pass access reduces the barrier to entry, and the ongoing patches mean you’re buying into a live service that will change — likely for the better. If you prefer sprawling, discovery-first worlds, Elden Ring remains the go-to; if you want a tight, tactical, and socially active experience, Expedition 33 is the year’s must-play.

Actionable quick-start tips

• Play with a controller for parry precision (DualSense haptics are a real help).
• Start Gustave + Maelle + Lune for a balanced early meta: tank, DPS, support.
• Join the official Discord or in-game raid queue for weekly Fractured Canvas events to farm rare Pictos.
• Expect patches and a paid Q1 DLC; treat the current build as the start of a living title.

TL;DR — The bottom line

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 earning 436 GOTYs is less a fluke and more an example of how modern visibility, platform deals, and a game that blends novelty with polish can overwhelm historical records. Sandfall’s debut proves small studios can own the conversation if they couple distinctive design with wide access. Keep an eye on the post-launch roadmap and the award roll into March — this record may keep rising, and the debate it sparks about awards, transparency, and what “finished” means is the longer-term story worth watching.