Expedition 33 sweeps The Game Awards, releases new free update

Fresh off winning VideoGamer’s own Game of the Year Award, Clair Obscur Expedition 33 has garnered a well-deserved roster of awards at The Game Awards in LA. In addition to Game of the Year, Sandfall Interactive’s emotionally resonant, story-driven RPG won Best Game Direction, Best RPG, Best Score and Music, Best Debut Indie Game, Best Narrative, and Best Art Direction. Jennifer English also won Best Performance for her role in the title.

What’s more, Expedition 33 director Guillaume Broche announced the release of free additional content. Centred around the childhood hideout of young Verso. The update includes whimsical new environments, new weapons, and a new boss. 

For those who come after

Director Guillaume Broche gave a wholesome speech on behalf of the team at Sandfall Interactive. He was especially proud of the players for their “endless arguing” over the ending. 

Jennifer English took home the coveted Best Performance award, beating out Erika Ishii’s soulful performance as protagonist Atsu in Ghost of Yotei and Ben Starr’s gripping portrayal of brooding anti-hero Verso, also from Expedition 33. 

During her own acceptance speech, English thanked the entire team at Sandfall Interactive. “I love my artistic, soulful, beret-wearing village,” began English. “I also want to say to every neurodivergent person watching in this room, because I know there’s probably quite a lot of you, and at home, to all of you that feel like life is stuck on hard mode, this one is for you.”

Expedition 33 is a testament to what video games can achieve when developers and actors alike are given license to stay true to a coherent artistic vision. While audiences and critics alike must be careful not to lionise Expedition 33 as a flawless work of art (the platforming sections remain tedious as hell), the RPG’s success is a beautiful reminder of the potential and power at the heart of the medium.