Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Sells 3.3 Million Copies in 33 Days

It’s official: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has sold 3.3 million copies just 33 days after launch.

Publisher Kepler Interactive confirmed the news on May 27, calling the figure a feat for an independent production.

It’s a particularly remarkable achievement given the game’s modest team of around 30 developers, some of whom were working on their first ever video game.

 “We couldn’t make that up,” the studio posted on social media. “Another entry on the long list of surreal moments that your support has made real.”

Beating the Odds—and Oblivion

Released on April 24, 2025, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 launched directly into the crowded spring release window—including up against Bethesda’s surprise drop of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered.

Despite the fierce competition and a simultaneous release on Xbox Game Pass, the title still sold millions of copies, with Game Pass downloads not even included in the 3.3 million total.

That’s a huge win for both Kepler and Sandfall, especially considering how subscription services often eat into direct sales. Xbox was reportedly the most popular platform for Expedition 33, even if it had the shortest average playtime—likely due to Game Pass players sampling the experience.

Critical Acclaim and Presidential Praise

Beyond sales, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has won over critics and fans alike. It currently boasts a Metacritic score of 92 on PS5, 91 on Xbox Series X/S, and 91 on PC, earning it a spot among the year’s highest-rated games.

The reception was so strong that even French President Emmanuel Macron took notice after the game hit 1 million sales in its first three days.

Japanese outlet Famitsu gave the game a glowing 36/40, calling it a “masterpiece” that blends JRPG sensibilities with French cultural flair. Though developed in France, the game has often been referred to as one of the best modern ‘JRPG-style’ titles—not merely imitating the genre, but expanding on it.

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Set in a surreal, painterly world where reality bends and memories fade, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 follows a team of emotionally scarred heroes on a doomed journey to stop a mysterious Paintress who erases a year—and a person—from existence each cycle. With turn-based combat and an artbook-worthy visual style, it has captivated both genre fans and newcomers.