Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a turn-based RPG from French developer Sandfall Interactive, has taken the gaming world by storm since its release on April 24, 2025. The debut title, published by Kepler Interactive, sold over 1 million copies across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC in just three days, not counting players accessing it through Xbox Game Pass. On Steam, the game reached a peak of 121,422 concurrent players.
Set in a haunting, Belle Époque-inspired world, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 follows the members of Expedition 33 on a quest to defeat the Paintress, a mysterious entity who awakens yearly to paint a number on her monolith, erasing everyone of that age. This year, the number is 33, signaling a dire mission for the team. The game blends turn-based combat with real-time mechanics, allowing players to dodge, parry, and counter while chaining combos and targeting enemy weak points.
Its oil painting-like art style, gripping narrative, and a voice cast featuring talents like Charlie Cox, Ben Starr, and Jennifer English have drawn comparisons to JRPG giants like Final Fantasy and Persona. Developed by a small team of about 30 former Ubisoft developers, the game’s polish and ambition have exceeded expectations for a first-time studio.
Kepler Interactive announced on April 27 that the game surpassed 1 million copies sold across all platforms, a milestone reached in just three days. This figure, which excludes Game Pass players, highlights the game’s broad appeal, especially at its accessible 49.99€ price point. Its availability on Game Pass, Epic Games Store, and consoles likely pushed its total player count far higher.
According to SteamDB, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 peaked at 121,422 concurrent players on April 27 surpassing the all-time peaks of major RPGs like Metaphor: ReFantazio (85,961), Persona 3 Reload (45,002), and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (46,161). Starting with 51,922 concurrent players on launch day, the game saw steady growth, hitting 98,000 by April 26 and crossing 115,000 before reaching its record high.
Critical reception has been a driving force behind the game’s success. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 boasts a 92 Metacritic score, tying with Blue Prince as 2025’s highest-rated game, and a 91 on OpenCritic. Looking ahead, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s trajectory suggests more milestones to come. Its high ratings, growing player base, and critical acclaim position it as a Game of the Year contender alongside titles like Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.
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