Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has emerged as a breakout success story in the RPG space this spring, even as it launched within days of Bethesda’s surprise release of Oblivion Remastered. Developed by Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive, this dark fantasy turn-based RPG has not only captured critical acclaim but also overtaken Oblivion Remastered in global sales and Steam player counts.
‘Oblivion Didn’t Seem to Hurt Us at All’ — Kepler Comments
Kepler Interactive addressed concerns about Oblivion’s impact in an interview with The Game Business, stating that the shadow-dropped remaster “didn’t seem to harm us at all.” Instead, it may have boosted visibility for the RPG genre. “It just drew attention to quality RPGs that week and everybody was thinking and talking about the genre,” Kepler noted.
The comments came just a week after Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 launched to rave reviews, praised for its atmospheric Belle Époque-inspired world, powerful performances, and cinematic production values—all built in Unreal Engine 5.
Expedition 33 Outperforms Oblivion Remastered
Despite the prestige of Bethesda’s classic, Expedition 33 has outpaced Oblivion Remastered in multiple areas. Global sales, concurrent Steam players, and critical reception have all tipped in favor of the indie RPG. With a Top Critic Average of 92/100 on OpenCritic and 97% critic recommendation rate, the game’s launch was nothing short of triumphant.
Kepler’s senior portfolio director, Matt Handrahan, attributed this to the title’s distinct RPG identity. “We always felt it had its own audience,” he said, pointing out that Expedition 33 straddles the line between Western RPG storytelling and Japanese-style turn-based systems, thus appealing to both Final Fantasy fans and Elder Scrolls players.
A Belle Époque Fantasy With a Haunting Twist
Set in a dark reimagining of early 20th-century Europe, Expedition 33 follows a group of doomed volunteers sent to stop a powerful entity known as the Paintress. The narrative’s somber tone is matched by haunting visuals and a richly orchestrated score, setting it apart from most RPGs on the market today.
In its first post-launch update (patch 1.2.2), the game addressed inventory bugs, soft locks, and several minor UI issues. Sandfall Interactive continues to respond to community feedback, and a DLC may already be in the works if fan interest stays strong. Writers hinted that other expeditions mentioned in the game’s story could become future playable content.
Expedition 33 on Game Pass & Future Potential
Expedition 33’s day-one launch on Xbox Game Pass undoubtedly helped build a massive player base early on. Kepler was confident the game would resonate with fans of story-driven RPGs, and the numbers seem to confirm it.
While Oblivion Remastered was a nostalgic surprise, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has proven there’s still room for new voices in the RPG genre. With a passionate team, growing player base, and expanding roadmap, the indie RPG could become one of 2025’s standout titles.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available now on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. ESRB Rating: M for Mature.
