Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, released on April 21, 2025, has quickly emerged as April's biggest gaming hit and is being hailed as a strong contender for Game of the Year.

The game has garnered widespread acclaim from both players and critics, receiving positive reviews on platforms like Steam and OpenCritic.

Although many consider it a frontrunner for GOTY, upcoming titles like Death Stranding 2 and Mario Kart World could pose significant competition.

Sales of Expedition 33 exceeded the developers' expectations from the very first day of its release, achieving significant milestones early on.

Its popularity has surged, transforming from a sleeper hit into a sensation, with over 11,000 upvotes on a Reddit post discussing its GOTY potential.

While opinions vary on its overall GOTY status, there is a consensus that Clair Obscur has secured the Best Soundtrack award, topping the Billboard Classical Albums chart.

The game is anticipated to receive multiple awards at the upcoming Game Awards, underscoring its overall excellence and appeal.

Adrian Chmielarz, a prominent game designer, praised the game's writing, emotional depth, and storytelling, likening it to the feelings evoked by Final Fantasy VII.

Chmielarz also commended the combat, pacing, and world design of Expedition 33, despite noting minor issues with quick-time events and the user interface.

Overall, Expedition 33 is being recognized as a fresh experience that is redefining narrative-driven RPGs and setting new standards for the genre.

Some fans have declared Clair Obscur their favorite game from the last 40 years, highlighting its strong impact and potential to become a classic.

David Gaider, known for his work on Dragon Age and Baldur's Gate 2, compared Expedition 33's significance in jRPGs to the impact of Baldur's Gate 3 on cRPGs.