Howard’s endorsement isn’t unexpected. Sandfall Interactive’s RPG has emerged as a front-runner this award season: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 dominated The Golden Joysticks 2025 and earned a record-setting 12 nominations at The Game Awards — more than any other title in the event’s history.
He’s not alone in his admiration. Final Fantasy director Naoki Hamaguchi has also called it a likely contender for his personal Game of the Year, noting that beyond its JRPG-inspired combat, “what makes that game so good is the fact it gets all of the elements in it right, and it balances them all at such a high level of quality.”
“The real reward in our heart is the emotional response”: As Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 continues its GOTY sweep, the developers and cast are still absorbing the game’s runaway success.
Source: gamesradar.com
