Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 demonstrated in the summer of 2025 that Europe does not have to hide from the international gaming scene. The role-playing game from French developer Sandfall Interactive swept us off our feet with a magnificent story, a soundtrack whose concerts sold out across Europe in no time at all, and a unique combat system combining turn-based tactics and quick-time events.
Unique because, even at low levels, with plenty of time, tactics and dedication, we can defeat even the toughest opponents in the game. A feature that is virtually unrivalled, particularly within the JRPG genre.
The longer we play Clair Obscur, the deeper we are drawn into the story of the battle against the Paintress, where, in the end, nothing is as it seemed at the start. Interwoven with heavy themes such as death, loss, fear and memento mori, Expedition 33 grows ever closer to our hearts until, at some point, we find ourselves completely lost in the beautifully crafted world.
Clair Obscur masterfully demonstrates that a perfect blend of a gripping story, a motivating gameplay loop and a magical atmosphere can captivate more than just core gamers.

The DCP Jury, March 2026