‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ Is Currently The Highest Rated Game of 2025

Summary

• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 achieved a record 9.7 user rating on Metacritic
• Its engaging story, strategic combat and world-building draw RPG comparisons
• With strong community support and growing popularity, it’s a leading contender for Game of the Year 2025

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has quickly become one of the most talked-about games of 2025, setting new records and earning widespread acclaim. Despite being released less than two weeks ago, the turn-based RPG game has achieved the highest user rating in Metacritic history — surpassing legendary titles like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Baldur’s Gate 3 with a 9.7/10 score. Developed by Sandfall Interactive, an independent studio, its success also demonstrates that smaller developers can compete with major industry players.

The game’s storyline and strategic combat system have contributed to its meteoric rise. Set in a post-apocalyptic fantasy world, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 follows a group of characters on a desperate mission to stop the Paintress, whose annual ritual erases people from existence. The emotional depth of the story, combined with its turn-based combat system, has drawn comparisons to classic RPGs like Final Fantasy VII. Players have praised its immersive world-building, haunting soundtrack and challenging gameplay, making it a standout in an increasingly crowded market.

Beyond critical acclaim, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has also broken records in player engagement. The game reached a peak of 145,063 concurrent players on Steam, a rare achievement for an indie title. Unlike many AAA games that see a decline in active players post-launch, Expedition 33 has continued to grow in popularity, fueled by word-of-mouth recommendations and strong community support. Its affordable price point of $50 USD has also made it more accessible, allowing more players to experience its rich storytelling and gameplay.

With its record-breaking reception, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is widely considered a strong contender for Game of the Year. As more players discover its compelling world and strategic combat, the game’s influence on the RPG genre is expected to grow. Whether or not it claims the Game of the Year title, the game has already secured its place as a standout release.