The GOTY Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 signs the best third-party release of the year in Xbox Game Pass review

The debut of Sandfall Interactive breaks records in its first 30 days within the Xbox service.

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 just keeps on growing. After sweeping the Golden Joysticks and arriving as a top favorite at The Game Awards, the RPG from Sandfall Interactive has just achieved a new milestone within the Xbox ecosystem: it’s the biggest third-party launch of the year on Xbox Game Pass, measured by the number of unique players during its first 30 days.

This boost confirms the impact of Maelle, Gustave, and company’s adventure, which has already become one of the biggest phenomena of 2025.

The game that has captivated Xbox players

Guillaume Broche, creative director of Sandfall Interactive, acknowledged the overwhelming success of this unexpected hit for a studio debuting with its first project. From the game’s initial announcement in the summer of 2024 to its prominent presence at the Developer_Direct in January, Xbox bet on a title that combined turn-based combat, French aesthetics, and an unusual artistic vision for the genre.

Game Pass was essential in allowing thousands of players who normally wouldn’t approach turn-based JRPGs to try it out. That instant access eliminated barriers and allowed many to discover the city of Lumière and its early chapters without prior commitment.

A dark fantasy that has connected with the world

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available on Xbox Series, PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming. It’s an Xbox Play Anywhere title and part of the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate catalog, where it continues to expand a growing community.