Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Nears Record for Most Game of the Year Awards
Records are made to be broken—and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is rapidly approaching yet another milestone. Sandfall’s JRPG-inspired title has just surpassed The Last of Us Part 2 in total Game of the Year (GotY) awards, leaving only Elden Ring ahead in the rankings.
ResetEra’s Comprehensive Count
A ResetEra user has compiled an authoritative tally: so far, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been named Game of the Year by 404 qualified media outlets. This figure is:
- 370 more than runner-up Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2,
- and 379 more than bronze medalist Hollow Knight: Silksong.
Current Standing and Path to #1
This places Expedition 33 second on ResetEra’s all-time GotY leaderboard—just under 90 awards behind Elden Ring’s current count of 435. With 31 more awards, it would tie Elden Ring for first place. However, given that we’re already mid-January, the likelihood of that final gap closing remains highly uncertain.
Methodology and Credibility
ResetEra’s leaderboard adheres to strict qualification criteria, including:
- Outlets must be multi-platform with a broad editorial remit;
- They must have been active for at least one year, publishing regular coverage;
- And they must be operated by—and employ a selection process deliberated upon by—more than one person.
While these standards do exclude some reputable outlets, the bar ensures statistical integrity. Given the scale and consistency of the results, significant skewing is highly unlikely. The numbers reflect genuine, widespread critical acclaim.
Cultural Impact and Context
The reception has been extraordinary: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 swept major honors—including The Game Awards—and resonated deeply with players worldwide. Its momentum is so strong that even GTA VI may face unprecedented competition for the top spot in 2025.
Ultimately, regardless of where it lands on the leaderboard, players are the true winners—celebrating a bold, heartfelt indie achievement “at heart,” even as its developers acknowledge the substantial support provided by its publisher.
