Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has broken a very impressive record following The Game Awards 2025 nominations. The game, nominated for Game of the Year, leads a stellar list of other contenders, including Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 and Hollow Knight Silksong.
Releasing earlier this year, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 blew many out of the water. Not only did it look gorgeous for an indie game, but the turn-based RPG combat felt reminiscent of classic Final Fantasy and Persona. It quickly became 2025’s best-reviewed title for a time before Hades 2 overtook it a month ago. Still, it was pretty clear the game would make an appearance at The Game Awards in big categories. However, its nominations prove it’s showing up in a huge way, more than any other year.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Gets Record 12 Nominations at The Game Awards 2025
The Game Awards 2025 announced its nominees today (you can find the whole list here) and it had some bombshells. Perhaps the biggest of all was Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The indie title managed to snag a record-breaking 12 nominations, including three in one category. Previously, the record holders were 2020’s The Last of Us Part 2 and 2023’s God of War: Ragnarok, which each had 11 nominations. The full list of nominations for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 can be found below:
- Game of the Year
- Best Game Direction – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Narrative
- Best Art Direction
- Best Score and Music
- Best Audio Design
- Best Performance
- Ben Starr as Verso
- Charlie Cox as Gustave
- Jennifer English as Maelle
- Best Independent Game
- Best Debut Indie Game
- Best Role-Playing Game
Meanwhile, Sony Interactive Entertainment got 19 nominations, as its titles Death Stranding 2: On The Beach and Ghost of Yotei both went big. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 joins Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, Hollow Knight Silksong, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Hades 2 for Game of the Year. Either way, we’ll find out who takes home the title on December 11th when The Game Awards 2025 goes live.
What do you think of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s record nominations? Is it deserving of it? Is it your Game of the Year? Let us know in the comments and on the official Insider Gaming Discord!
For more RPGs, check out our articles on the most influential and Final Fantasy 9’s remake. Don’t forget to subscribe to our weekly newsletter!
