Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Sets World Record for Game of the Year Awards, Surpassing Elden Ring

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has set the world record for most Game of the Year awards, surpassing FromSoftware’s Elden Ring.

Last week, IGN reported that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was once again sweeping award nominations, this time at the Game Developers Choice Awards, where it’s been nominated for all but one award, and earlier that same week, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 absolutely dominated the Annual D.I.C.E. Award Nominations along with Ghost of Yotei.

Even with with the BAFTAs, DICE, GDC Awards and more still to go, ResetEra’s Angie — who’s been keeping an eye on all the nominations and wins — reports that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has clocked up a staggering 436 awards, surpassing prior top-spot-holder, Elden Ring, which has 429. The rest of the top five is rounded out by The Last of Us Part II (326 awards), Baldur’s Gate 3 (288), and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (281).

Providing most of their workings and rationale, Angie also believes Expedition 33 has secured more Players’ Choice awards than anything else — The Last of Part II received 115, Elden Ring 97, Baldur’s Gate III has 89, while Sandfall’s record-breaking JRPG has 125 — but interestingly, when Game of the Year wins are calculated by the percentage of total awards given out during the release year, Clair Obscur takes the bronze. Though it has scooped 70% of all the awards given out this year, Street Fighter II received 80% back in 2005, and 1998’s The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time did even better at 87%.

Not all award years are equal, of course — the number of awards will depend upon the number of outlets/organizations publishing a Game of the Year winner (Clair Obscur was IGN’s 2025 game of the year), and this list includes awards given not just by gaming press, but also newspapers, radios, podcasts, and more — but it’s nonetheless a testament to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s impact. Hop on over to ResetEra for the full list (thanks, GamesRadar).

It’s been an incredible time for Sandfall, which has found itself thrust into the mainstream following Clair Obscur’s success. Even French president Emmanuel Macron celebrated the game for winning Game of the Year. But it’s not all positive for Sandfall when it comes to game awards, however. Last month, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was stripped of two awards from the Indie Game Awards after its alleged use of generative AI hit the headlines.

While accepting the Game of the Year award at last month’s The Game Awards, Sandfall shadow-dropped new DLC and Patch 1.5.0, which introduces new location Verso’s Drafts and some truly challenging boss fights.

IGN’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 review returned a 9/10. We said: “Wearing its inspirations on its sleeve, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 paints itself into the pantheon of great RPGs with a brilliant combat system and a gripping, harrowing story.” Here’s a Handy Guide for Beginners if you’re looking to give it a try, too.

Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world’s biggest gaming sites and publications. She’s also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.