Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 just did the impossible. It took home Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2025, then dropped a free, meaty update the same day. I can confirm the “Thank You” update is live right now, and it is more than a victory lap. It is a love letter to fans and a blueprint for how indie studios can own the moment.
Game of the Year, and a night no one will forget
Expedition 33 arrived as the quiet storm back in April. It leaves 2025 as the defining game of the year. The record 13 nominations set the tone going into The Game Awards. The win sealed a season that included seven Golden Joystick trophies, with top honors for storytelling, soundtrack, and visual design. That is a clean sweep for a game built on Belle Époque dreams and JRPG heart.
The industry took notice. Todd Howard, Hideo Kojima, and Neil Druckmann praised the craft and ambition. Voice leads Jennifer English, who plays Maelle, and Ben Starr, who plays Verso, turned character work into event performances. This is prestige storytelling that still knows how to be fun.
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The “Thank You” update is live today
Sandfall Interactive and Kepler Interactive made the smartest move possible. They celebrated the win by giving players more, for free, today, December 12. The new content hits on story, challenge, and creativity, not just polish.
Here is what you can jump into right now:
- Verso’s Drafts, a new playable environment with a storybook twist
- New Lorien Testard tracks, lush and haunting, already on streaming
- Fresh boss fights in the Endless Tower, with new Pictos, outfits, and gear
- A full photo mode with 33 filters, deep lighting tools, and free camera
- Quality of life updates, from loadout presets to better Lumina searches and expanded localization
Photo mode is a star of its own. You can move the camera anywhere, even below the map. Ten adjustable lights give each shot a studio look. Expect your captures to look like posters, not screenshots.
To find photo mode, open the pause menu in any area, toggle the camera, then explore the lighting tab for pro results.
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Indie playbook, perfected
This is what indie excellence looks like in 2025. Sandfall Interactive, founded by ex Ubisoft talent, built a clear identity and delivered. The team launched April 24 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. It hit Game Pass day one, which widened the audience without dulling its premium shine.
The numbers tell a real story. Two million copies in 12 days. Over five million by October. The soundtrack topped Billboard’s classical charts and pulled in massive streams. Composer Lorien Testard is now a name fans know, not just a credit at the end. That crossover is rare, and it matters.
Crucially, Sandfall did not wait to earn goodwill. The studio confirmed an expansion and a sequel are in development. That keeps energy high, and it shows confidence.
Expansion and sequel are official. Sandfall has momentum, and they plan to use it.
Celebrities, fans, and the culture moment
Expedition 33 lives where games, fashion, and film meet. The Belle Époque look has become one of 2025’s signature aesthetics. You see it in fan art and in cosplay plans for next con season. Costumers are already sketching Maelle’s coats and Verso’s layered fits. Expect velvet, lace, and pale gold everywhere.
The music sticks with you. Players walk away humming themes from the Square of Echoes. That is rare for an action RPG. The game’s painterly combat has become a calling card. People talk about timing a perfect guard like hitting a note. Style is not just a look here, it is how you play.
What seals the deal is tone. Expedition 33 is earnest and grand, but never stiff. It takes big swings and lands them. That is why celebrities can praise it and fans can claim it. It belongs to both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What platforms is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on?
A: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. It launched April 24, 2025, and is also on Game Pass.
Q: What is Verso’s Drafts in the new update?
A: It is a new playable area tied to Verso’s childhood, with a storybook look and fresh encounters.
Q: How do I get the “Thank You” update?
A: Update the game on your platform. The content is free for all players starting today, December 12, 2025.
Q: What new features arrived besides the level?
A: New Testard tracks, Endless Tower bosses, a robust photo mode, and quality of life changes, plus added languages.
Q: Is more content coming after this update?
A: Yes. Sandfall confirmed an expansion and a full sequel are in development.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 just set a new standard. Win the biggest award in the room, then give back to the people who put you there. The result is not just a great game. It is a modern playbook for how indie vision, smart partnerships, and fan-first choices can shape the culture. Today’s win feels like a finale. It is actually the prologue.
