French developer Sandfall Interactive’s debut title, a tur-based role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, made gaming history last Thursday, dominating The Game Awards 2025 and taking home Game of the Year Award.
The critically recognized RPG game with a very striking artistic style and engaging storyline—a competition with a magical timer that deletes people from reality—took home a staggering nine awards. The game centers on a group of adults referred to as the expedition in a quest to defeat a mysterious being called Paintress.
“We are completely overwhelmed,” said Guillaume Broche, creative director for Sandfall Interactive, accepting the night’s top prize. “This was a passion project, and to see the entire industry and fans embrace it like this… it’s a dream.”
In addition to the top prize, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was recognized for its technical and artistic merits, winning Best Game Direction, Best Narrative, Best Art Direction, Best Score and Music, and Best Role-Playing Game. Jennifer English also won Best Performance for her work in the game.
Other notable winners included Supergiant Games’ sequel, Hades II, and Nintendo’s new title, Donkey Kong Bananza. Long-standing titles also claimed awards for their continued support and evolution.
Category Winners and Breakdowns
• Game of the Year: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Description: A turn-based RPG with a unique painterly aesthetic and a dark fantasy story about an expedition racing to stop a magical entity that erases people from the world.
• Best Game Direction: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Description: Recognizes the overall creative vision and execution of the game.
• Best Narrative: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Description: Honors the game with the best storytelling and narrative design.
• Best Performance: Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Description: Acknowledges an outstanding performance by a voice and/or motion capture artist.
• Best Independent Game: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Description: Celebrates the best game created by an independent studio outside the main publishing system.
• Best Action Game: Hades II
Description: Awarded to the best game focused on combat and action, this is the sequel to the roguelike dungeon crawler.
• Best Action/Adventure Game: Hollow Knight: Silksong
Description: Given to the best game that blends combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving, this is the highly anticipated sequel to the beloved “Metroidvania” title.
• Best Family Game: Donkey Kong Bananza
Description: Honors the best game suitable for family play, an accessible and lively title from Nintendo.
• Best Ongoing Game: No Man’s Sky
Description: Celebrates a game that continues to provide new and excellent content and developer support after its initial release.
• Best Community Support: Baldur’s Gate 3
Description: Recognizes a game providing outstanding support for its community, especially with updates and transparency.
• Most Anticipated Game: Grand Theft Auto VI
Description: Determined by fan votes, this award goes to a title announced for future release that has the highest anticipation.
• Best Adaptation: The Last of Us: Season 2
Description: Honors the best adaptation of a video game property into another media, such as film or television.
