Reality Glitch? Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is Already a Game Awards Record Breaker, And It's Not Even Out!

AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·

Reality Glitch? Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is Already a Game Awards Record Breaker, And It's Not Even Out!

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is already making history for The Game Awards 2025, setting an unprecedented record with 12 nominations across 10 categories, including three Best Performance nods, all before its official release, making it a baffling but exciting contender.

Alright, listen up, mates, because I've been staring at the digital tea leaves all morning, and they're showing something genuinely wild. We're talking about a game that hasn't even officially launched yet, but it's already pulled off a stunt so impressive, it makes most pre-release hype cycles look like a primary school play. Seriously, it's like someone cast a 'Temporal Anomaly' spell on The Game Awards, and now we're living in a future where one game is just casually rewriting history.

This rather mind-bending news, originally unearthed by Andrea Trama over at Game Rant, revolves around *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33*. Now, if you haven't heard of it yet, you're either living under a particularly dense rock (no judgment, we all need our quiet zones) or, like most of us, you're probably wondering how a game slated for release *next year* is already making waves that could drown a small ship.

**Breaking Records Before Breaking the Bank (or Launching)**

Here's the gist: *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33* (let's call it CO:E33 for brevity, because typing that out repeatedly feels like a mini-quest in itself) has apparently racked up an absolutely bonkers **12 total nominations across 10 categories** for The Game Awards 2025. You heard that right – **TGA 2025**. As in, the show that takes place in December *next year*, celebrating games that largely come out in *2025*. This isn't just big; it's a new, unprecedented record in the entire history of The Game Awards. My brain cells are still doing somersaults trying to process the timeline here, but bloody hell, you've got to admit, it's a flex.

To put that into perspective, the previous record holder, the critically acclaimed *The Last of Us Part 2*, managed a still-mighty 11 nominations back in TGA 2020. Other giants like *Baldur's Gate 3* (9 nominations, TGA 2023 GOTY winner) and *God of War Ragnarok* (8 nominations, TGA 2022) are looking up at CO:E33's towering achievement. This isn't just a strong showing; it's an industry-shaking, reality-bending phenomenon.

And it gets even wilder, mate. CO:E33 isn't just breaking one record; it's practically smashing the entire rulebook. It's snagged a jaw-dropping **three nominations in the 'Best Performance' category** alone. That's Ben Starr as Verso, Charlie Cox as Gustave, and Jennifer English as Maelle all vying for the same award. Never before has a single game had three actors nominated in the same category. It's like a Hollywood ensemble cast decided to just dominate the gaming Oscars before the movie even hits theatres. (Side note: Ben Starr was also nominated for his role as Clive Rosfield in Final Fantasy 16 for TGA 2023. This lad's got range!)

**The "What the Heck is Going On?" Bit**

So, what exactly is *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33*? The original article describes it as a Turn-Based RPG, leaning into JRPG and Fantasy elements, from developers Sandfall Interactive and publishers Kepler Interactive. And apparently, it's already got an OpenCritic average of 92/100, with 97% critics recommending it. This level of pre-release critical consensus is almost as rare as a healthy microtransaction economy.

Here's where my gently skeptical, but authentically enthusiastic, digital wizard brain starts firing on all cylinders. How does a game, before it's even out, generate this kind of buzz? The original piece mentions that "when it was released in April of this year, many players already called it Game of the Year." Now, if "this year" refers to 2025, when it's officially releasing, then the future is indeed now. If it refers to *this* year (2024), then someone's either got a time machine, or we're witnessing some truly next-level early access / reviewer magic. I'm choosing to believe the time machine theory – it's far more exciting, don't you reckon?

This isn't just corporate PR doing a good job; something genuinely compelling must be bubbling under the surface here. For a game from Sandfall and Kepler – good studios, but not your traditional AAA behemoths like a Square Enix or a Naughty Dog – to command this kind of pre-release acclaim and record-breaking nomination count speaks volumes. It suggests that CO:E33 is truly hitting all the right notes: gameplay, narrative, visuals, sound, and performances that are simply out of this world. It’s the kind of indie (or indie-adjacent, given Kepler's scope) success story that warms the cockles of my curiously chaotic heart.

**The GOTY Crystal Ball**

Looking at the other GOTY nominees mentioned for TGA 2025 – *Death Stranding 2: On the Beach*, *Donkey Kong Bananza*, *Hades 2*, *Hollow Knight: Silksong*, and *Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2* – it's a formidable list of highly anticipated titles. Yet, the history of The Game Awards shows a strong correlation between the most-nominated games and the ultimate Game of the Year winner. *Baldur's Gate 3* and *The Last of Us Part 2* both took home the top prize after leading the nomination pack. If history is anything to go by, CO:E33 is already the front-runner before we've even laced up our boots for the expedition.

What does this mean for us, the actual players? It means we've potentially got a truly groundbreaking, genre-defining RPG heading our way. It means genuine innovation and stellar artistry are being recognised and celebrated, even before the game officially lands. And that, mate, is something genuinely exciting. It’s not just hype; it’s a strong signal from the industry that Sandfall Interactive has cooked up something truly special.

So, keep your eyes peeled and your expectations high for *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33*. It seems this game isn't just playing by the rules; it's bending reality itself to get its well-deserved recognition. I, for one, can't wait to see if it lives up to the impossible hype it's already generated. Because if it does, it'll be a story for the ages, proving that sometimes, you *can* win the race before the starting gun even fires. Bloody marvellous!

Tags: Gaming News, Game Awards, Clair Obscur Expedition 33, RPG, Indie Game

Original article: Game Rant