Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Crowned 2025’s Highest-Rated Game – And It’s Still Gaining Momentum

[May 23, 2025 | Earthtechy Gaming News Desk]

If you’ve been sleeping on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, it’s time to wake up—because this turn-based RPG is rewriting the rules of success in 2025. What started as a promising indie launch has now exploded into one of the biggest gaming stories of the year.

We’re not just talking hype either. I’m talking record-breaking numbers, top critic scores, and a rapidly growing fanbase that refuses to slow down. Let’s dive into why Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is officially the highest-rated game of 2025—and why it absolutely deserves your attention.

From Underdog to Record Breaker

Released on April 24, 2025, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 didn’t just have a good launch—it’s been gaining serious steam after release. And that alone is rare in today’s gaming world.

Here’s what happened:

• At launch, the game peaked at 121,422 concurrent players on Steam.
• Just over a week later, it surged to a new high of 145,063 players.
• As of now, it’s still averaging over 102,000 active players at any given time.

Those numbers are staggering, especially for an RPG made by a relatively small team at Sandfall Interactive. Most games peak and fade—but Clair Obscur is defying gravity.

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What’s So Special About Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?

So what’s the secret sauce?

Let’s break it down. Clair Obscur is a fantasy turn-based RPG—but it’s not your cookie-cutter formula. It blends rich world-building, meaningful character arcs, and tight combat mechanics in a way that feels fresh, emotional, and endlessly engaging.

Here’s what’s really stood out:

• 🔮 Stunning storytelling that feels like it belongs in an epic novel.
• 🎙️ Top-tier voice acting that’s getting universal praise.
• ⏳ A campaign that’s not just long—it’s worth your time, packed with depth.
• 🧠 Combat that’s strategic, satisfying, and full of those “just one more battle” moments.

It’s rare to find an RPG where the gameplay and story carry equal weight—but this one nails it.

It’s Official: The Highest-Rated Game of 2025 (So Far)

We’re only partway through 2025, but it’s hard to imagine another game topping what Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has already achieved.

Let’s talk facts:

• On Metacritic, it’s sitting at a mighty 92, based on 57 critic reviews. That puts it at the very top of the “Best Games This Year” list.
• Over on OpenCritic, it’s holding strong with a 91/100, making it their #1 best-reviewed title of 2025 so far.

Yes, Blue Prince is technically tied on Metacritic—but here’s the kicker: Clair Obscur has more critic reviews, which gives its score a little extra weight. And that, my friend, is why it’s getting the nod.

This isn’t just a fluke or a flash in the pan. It’s the result of solid design, polished storytelling, and a studio that clearly put passion first. And critics? They’ve noticed.

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A Clear Front-Runner for Game of the Year

At this point, it’s not even up for debate—Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is leading the pack for 2025’s Game of the Year honors.

Why? Because it checks all the boxes:

✅ Deep, emotionally driven narrative
✅ Smart, turn-based combat that rewards strategy
✅ A fully realized fantasy world
✅ Beautiful visuals, haunting score, and brilliant voice talent
✅ A launch that keeps building steam—not losing it

“Clair Obscur: Expedition’s blend of turn-based combat, fantasy, and unbelievable storytelling has earned it the number one spot on OpenCritic’s and Metacritic’s best games lists—making it the highest-rated game of 2025.”

As someone who follows the RPG genre closely, I can tell you this isn’t just another “pretty good” release—it’s a benchmark title. One that shows just how powerful smaller, creatively driven studios can be.

Should You Play Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?

Short answer? Absolutely.

If you love RPGs, story-driven games, or even just want to play the best-reviewed title of the year—you owe it to yourself to give Clair Obscur a shot.

You’ll get:

• Hours of content that feel meaningful, not padded
• A storyline that sticks with you long after the credits roll
• Tactical combat that respects your brainpower

And hey, if you’ve already played it—what did you think? Was it worth the praise? Or do you think something else deserves the spotlight?

Let us know in the comments. We love hearing from gamers who’ve lived the experience firsthand.

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Final Thoughts

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 didn’t need a mega-budget or a massive marketing campaign to top the charts. It just needed great gameplay, real storytelling, and a studio that cared deeply about its craft.

Now, with tens of thousands of players still active daily and glowing reviews from critics around the world, it’s safe to say: this isn’t just 2025’s top-rated game—it’s one of the year’s defining gaming moments.

Keep watching this space—we’ll be tracking its GOTY journey every step of the way.