Microsoft officially announced on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is now the biggest new third party game launch on Xbox Game Pass this year. The company based that recognition on the total number of unique users who played the game within its first 30 days on the service. The role playing game from French developer Sandfall Interactive originally debuted in April 2025 and almost immediately attracted a surprisingly large audience, quickly rising above several other major titles added to the subscription lineup.
Key Takeaways
- Microsoft named Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 the top third party Game Pass launch of 2025.
- The ranking relies on the count of unique players during the first 30 days.
- The game beat other high profile 2025 releases like Hollow Knight: Silksong on the service.
- Sandfall Interactive reported over 5 million copies sold across all platforms in five months.
- The title recently won the Ultimate Game of the Year at the Golden Joystick Awards.
What stands out, perhaps even more than the numbers themselves, is the timing. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 arrived in the middle of a very crowded release window. It launched just two days after the remaster of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, which was already expected to draw enormous attention on Game Pass. Even with that level of competition, Sandfall Interactive’s debut still managed to pull in more individual players in its first month than any other third-party title this year. Some early reports even suggested the game managed to outsell and outplay Hollow Knight: Silksong, which finally reached Game Pass earlier in 2025.
Sandfall Interactive later confirmed that the game sold 5 million units globally within five months. That figure does hint, at least to me, that being available on a subscription service didn’t diminish traditional sales in any meaningful way. The game also continued gaining recognition, earning strong critical praise and ultimately securing the Game of the Year trophy at the Golden Joystick Awards on November 20, 2025.
Developer Reaction and Platform Support
Guillaume Broche, the Creative Director at Sandfall Interactive, credited Xbox Game Pass for helping the studio reach players who might not normally lean toward turn based role-playing games. He mentioned that many players tend to hesitate when they see a turn based system because they usually prefer real time action. Game Pass effectively removed that financial barrier. According to Broche, the service encouraged curious players to give the game a try, explore the world a bit, and eventually realize they connected with its mechanics.
The ID@Xbox program also factored into the game’s momentum. Guy Richards, the Director of ID@Xbox, said the team recognized Expedition 33’s potential very early. He pointed out that the mix of Japanese style RPG systems with French cultural themes already felt distinct during early playtests. Microsoft backed the project with a marketing push that included a feature in their Developer_Direct showcase in January, which likely helped it reach more players.
About the Game
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a turn-based RPG set in a fantasy world influenced by Belle Époque France. The story follows a group of Expeditioners on a mission to defeat the Paintress, a mysterious and almost divine figure who awakens once a year to paint a cursed number on a monolith. Everyone who reaches that age simply disappears, setting the stakes for the group’s journey.
The gameplay blends traditional turn-based combat with several real time elements. Players need to dodge, parry, and counter attacks in real time even when the enemy is taking its turn. It keeps the experience more active, and honestly, it makes each encounter feel a bit more tense than expected. The game also lets players build their characters with different gear, stats, and skills, allowing room for personal playstyles without forcing a strict path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the biggest third-party Game Pass launch of 2025?
A. Microsoft confirmed that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the biggest new third-party game launch on Xbox Game Pass for 2025.
Q. How does Microsoft calculate the biggest launch on Game Pass?
A. Microsoft looks at the number of unique users who played the game within the first 30 days of its release on the service.
Q. Who developed Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?
A. Sandfall Interactive, a studio based in France, developed the game. It is their debut title.
Q. Is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 a turn-based game?
A. Yes, it is a turn-based RPG, but it includes real-time mechanics like dodging and parrying to make combat more active.
Q. Did Expedition 33 win any awards in 2025?
A. Yes, the game won the Ultimate Game of the Year award at the Golden Joystick Awards in November 2025.
Q. Can I play Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on PC?
A. Yes, the game is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and via Xbox Cloud Gaming. It is an Xbox Play Anywhere title.
