Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 did not just win Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2025. It dominated the night with nine total wins. And the part I cannot stop thinking about is the timing: the team used that moment to reveal Patch 1.5 as a thank you update.
This post is the written companion to my WHY Series episode on the win, the conversation around it, and what Patch 1.5 tells us about the game’s long-term future.
The Game Awards 2025: Expedition 33 won nine awards
Expedition 33’s awards sweep is one of those moments that instantly becomes part of the show’s history. Here are the nine categories it won:
- Game of the Year
- Best Game Direction
- Best Narrative
- Best Art Direction
- Best Score and Music
- Best Performance (Jennifer English)
- Best RPG
- Best Independent Game
- Best Debut Indie Game
That list matters because it shows what voters were responding to. It was not one specific feature. It was the complete package: tone, narrative, art direction, music, and overall direction.
Why the GOTY win actually makes sense
Awards do not mean a game is perfect. Most of the time they mean a game landed with people at the right moment, and it did so by committing to a clear identity. Expedition 33 does not feel like a game designed by committee.
The game trusts its identity
- Turn-based combat with real-time inputs that keep you engaged
- A deliberate, restrained art style that stands out immediately
- A story-forward structure that prioritizes emotional payoff
- A tone that does not overcorrect or overexplain
The soundtrack is a secret weapon
As a music producer and a music lover, I have to give the soundtrack its flowers. The score understands pacing. It knows when to step back and let a scene breathe, and it knows when to hit to make a moment feel huge. That kind of musical direction is not just “nice to have.” It changes how the entire game sits in your memory.
“A lot of games try to be for everyone. Expedition 33 is confident enough to be for its audience.”
The Legend of Dragoon connection (and why it matters)
One of the first things that drew me to Expedition 33 was the combat because I love turn-based systems that still ask you to stay locked in. The real-time button inputs instantly reminded me of The Legend of Dragoon on PS1.
In Legend of Dragoon, you had “Additions,” timed button inputs that extended combos and increased damage. You could level them up and unlock more. It made every turn feel active. You were not just selecting commands, you were participating.
Expedition 33 taps into that same spirit. Not in a copy-paste way, but in how it keeps the player involved without turning every turn into a quick time event marathon. Also, if anyone at Sony is listening, I will happily accept a remake, remaster, or spiritual successor. Do not play with me.
It is not a game for everyone, and that is okay
I also understand why some people do not agree with the awards. That does not automatically mean they are “hating.” Expedition 33 is not designed to appeal to every taste, and honestly, that is one of its strengths.
A lot of times when a game is made in an attempt to be for everyone, it ends up being for no one. Expedition 33 is clear about what it wants to be.
For me, the gameplay is solid, but the story is what carries the game. I will keep it real though: once you start to understand the big plot twist towards the end, I do think the game can lose a little magic. That did not ruin it for me, but it does change how it lands emotionally.
Patch 1.5: the thank you update that keeps the momentum going
The Patch 1.5 announcement matters because it happened in the same orbit as the GOTY moment. Instead of going quiet after winning, the team framed a major update as a thank you. That is how you build trust with players.
New content highlights
- Verso’s Drafts, a new playable environment on the World Map near Lumière (accessible from Act III)
- New costumes for each Expedition member
- New boss battle variations for late-game players in the Endless Tower
- New Luminas and weapons
- A second chance to collect the Old Key quest item in the final area
New features players will actually use
- Photo Mode accessible from the pause menu
- Lumina Sets, save up to 50 loadouts for quick swaps
- Abandon Battle option in-battle
- HUD Scale setting (80% to 120%)
- Additional filters and UI improvements for Pictos and Luminas
- Controller input remapping
- FSR 4 support (including frame generation on compatible GPUs)
Handheld improvements
- Steam Deck certification
- Text legibility improvements
- Lighting and fog fixes in several areas and encounters
- Performance fixes, including resolving a 30 FPS cap issue on Steam Deck
- Better first-time setup flow with controller support
This is the kind of update that extends a game’s shelf life. Not just with new content, but with systems that reduce friction for people who want to experiment with builds.
Watch the full WHY Series episode
If you prefer the full breakdown with footage, examples, and the whole conversation, the video is embedded below.
Want more episodes like this? The WHY Series playlist is here: The WHY Series playlist
FAQ
How many awards did Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 win at The Game Awards 2025?
It won nine awards, including Game of the Year, Best RPG, Best Narrative, Best Art Direction, Best Score and Music, Best Game Direction, Best Independent Game, Best Debut Indie Game, and Best Performance.
Is Expedition 33 a game for everyone?
No, and that is part of why it worked. It commits to a clear identity instead of trying to appeal to every taste.
What is included in Patch 1.5 for Expedition 33?
Patch 1.5 adds new content like Verso’s Drafts, new costumes, new boss variations, Photo Mode, Lumina Sets for saved loadouts, UI upgrades, and major handheld improvements including Steam Deck certification.
Why do people compare Expedition 33’s combat to older JRPG systems?
Because it blends turn-based combat with real-time inputs, which can remind players of classic systems like The Legend of Dragoon’s Additions, where timed button presses extend combos and increase damage.
Where should I start if I am new to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?
Start with our beginner guide, then come back to this post for the awards and Patch 1.5 context.
More OnThaSticks
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