Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Soundtrack Tops Billboard Charts

Less than two weeks after launch, the Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 soundtrack has soared to the top of the Billboard Classical Albums and Classical Crossover Albums charts.

Developer Sandfall Interactive confirmed the milestone, which further underscores the massive cultural impact of the hit turn-based RPG, released on April 24, 2025 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Game Pass.

In addition to dominating classical charts, the game’s soundtrack is also performing strongly across broader music rankings. It currently holds the No. 13 spot on Billboard’s Official Soundtrack Album chart and ranks No. 31 on the Official Album Download chart. Overall, 18 million streams since launch.

Music as a Narrative Pillar

The game’s sweeping, dreamlike score—comprising over 150 original tracks—has been a frequent point of praise among fans and critics alike.

"Lumière," a standout piece from the soundtrack, has nearly 1.9 million views on YouTube and over 1.9 million streams on Spotify, making it the clear fan favorite.

Remarkably, the composer behind the score, Lorien Testard, was discovered on SoundCloud, according to Sandfall’s recent interview with the BBC. The studio’s gamble on a lesser-known composer has clearly paid off, earning widespread acclaim for a soundtrack that many are calling one of the year's best in gaming.

A Smash Debut for Sandfall

Beyond the soundtrack's success, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has already crossed 2 million copies sold—an impressive feat for a studio’s first title.

It currently holds a 92 Metacritic score, the highest by any game release in 2025.

The game has been praised for its unique blend of painterly visuals, emotionally charged storytelling, and a reimagined take on turn-based combat.

It’s received enough attention that even French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged its success, offering congratulations to the Paris-based studio.