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It’s time for our annual countdown to award the very best games this year had to offer. Over the next ten days, we’ll count down our top ten games of 2025.
As always, the votes of each Press Start team member, weighted from #10 through to #1, were collated to compile our collective very best for the year that was. Games worthy of one’s top spot would be awarded a maximum of 10 points, and the values would descend to their tenth selection, which would receive a single point.
It’s hilarious to think that in April, people were up in arms at Microsoft shadow-releasing their Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion remake in the same week as Clair Obscur, potentially overshadowing the little indie that could.
Well, eight months later, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the little indie that did. Countless awards, millions of units sold, and a wonderful example for other developers that games don’t need $100m in budget to find success. From the moment I previewed the game, it had the makings of something truly special.
Through its live and reactive combat systems, it made turn-based combat palatable for a new generation of players, while introducing modern, westernised storytelling to the genre. Outside of the game’s arresting visuals and epic soundtrack, the story and character work are among the year’s best, with three of the game’s cast being nominated for Best Performance at The Game Awards, and some might argue that there were still performances that were snubbed.
Simply put, Sandfall Interactive struck gold with their first project, creating a world that gamers are desperate to spend time in. Whether they return to Clair Obscur straight away or not, they announced themselves with the confidence of a more senior studio and put the industry on notice.
James Says
“There’s not much I can say about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 that hasn’t already been said. From the moment it was revealed, I had a feeling it would be something special – clearly made with genuine love for a genre shaped by games like Final Fantasy, Persona, and Chrono Trigger.
The way it tells its story is one of the biggest highlights, landing a gut punch in the opening moments and setting the unique scene rather well. But beyond the narrative, the combat stays engaging thanks to a simple parry and firing system that adds tension and rhythm to every fight, feeling like a natural progression from systems you’ve seen in games like Lost Odyssey.
In the end, Clair Obscur is admittedly greater than the sum of its parts. Even if its story didn’t fully land for me, it’s still one of the adventures I’ll remember most fondly from this year and probably for years to come. And for good reason.”
In our review, Harry scored Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 an 8 out of 10, stating:
“Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of those double A titles that blurs the lines between it and the industry’s biggest hitters. It isn’t without issues, but as a debut title for Sandfall Interactive, it’s an incredibly impressive showing that’s well worth checking out.”
On the review aggregator Metacritic, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is resting at an average of 92.
Congratulations to Sandfall Interactive and Kepler for earning second place in our top ten for 2025.
Game of the Year 2025
#2 – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
