Steam game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is reportedly selling double the rate of other recent JRPGs on the platform, sparking curiosity about the factors driving its success.
Sandfall Interactive's Breakout Hit, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Steals the Show in 2025
Got a new favorite game in the horizon? It's none other than the wildly successful Clair Obscur: Expedition 33—and it's steadily climbing up my personal GOTY list for 2025. With its tantalizing hooks that have firmly lodged themselves in my gaming flesh, it effortlessly ticks all the boxes for my RPG and Sekiro diehards. This impressive debut title from Sandfall Interactive has raked in major success, gratefully soaking up the spotlight that might otherwise have been Oblivion Remastered's.
According to analyst Rhys Elliott's recent interview with Gamesindustry.biz, Clair Obscur has sold a staggering 785,000 copies on Steam alone in its first week— more than twice the sales of any similar titles in the Japanese RPG genre, including last year's Metaphor Re:Fantazio and Persona 3 Reload, and even outperforming the popular Persona, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
While some analysts might jealously guard their methodology, the data from Alinea Analytics helps put this achievement in perspective. And with Clair Obscur's recent all-time peak of 145,063 on SteamDB, it's not hard to imagine that this game is on a roll compared to its competitors.
Even more impressive, only one of those other titles, Persona 3 Reload, had a simultaneous Game Pass launch on PC—which still couldn't hold a candle to the palpable demand for Clair Obscur.
I can't help but be utterly entranced by Clair Obscur, currently clocking in at the 60-hour mark as I stomp through its final postgame challenges. Yet, I can't help but ponder the secret behind its soaring success.
Sure, the game is impressive, but several other JRPGs, including Metaphor: ReFantazio and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, also had me tethered to my console for 80+ hours. So, what makes Clair Obscur soar while others falter on Steam? Let's take a look at a few plausible theories.
The Unexpected containing the ExtraordinaryI confess—I approached Clair Obscur with cautious optimism, but as a debut title, Sandfall Interactive struck a chord. People love new experiences, underdogs, and supporting small independent studios. And as a patron of indie titles, I couldn't agree more.
Engaging IntroClair Obscur hooks players from the get-go with gripping opening hours that feature a double-edged charm. Although the gommage didn't resonate with me as strongly as it did for others, the beach scene that follows was a masterclass in compelling storytelling, leaving me hooked.
A Fresh Spin on ClassicsClair Obscur's unique blend of western and Japanese influences may have struck a chord with those seeking familiar turn-based mechanics but yearning for something fresh. Its parry-based mechanics might have also intrigued gamers who generally shy away from the complexity of building and allocating stats.
The Appeal of Western ExoticismClair Obscur also stands out for its unique setting, steeped in dark mystery and contemporary themes, such as The Dark Pictures Anthology. This could explain why it piqued the interest of PC gamers compared to more "anime" alternatives like Persona or Like A Dragon.
Could all these factors—and a dash of luck—be the key to Clair Obscur's success? Only time will tell. But as a fan, I can't help but be thrilled about the potential for more from the game's universe, and I desperately need more Monoco in my life.
*Expedition 33 Tips: Conquer the continent*Lost Gestrals: Runaway kids*Mime Locations: Beat the buskers*Old Key: What it opens*Weird Pictos: Where to use them
- The anticipated game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, is steadily asserting itself as my top pick for 2025's Game of the Year.
- Clair Obscur's sales figure of 785,000 copies in its first week on Steam towers over other Japanese RPG titles, even surpassing Persona, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
- Analyst Rhys Elliott's data from Alinea Analytics help contextualize the achievement of Clair Obscur, which currently has an all-time peak of 145,063 on SteamDB.
- The palpable demand for Clair Obscur is evident, outshining even titles with simultaneous Game Pass launches on PC.
- With Clair Obscur's captivating blend of western and Japanese influences, it successfully appeals to both JRPG enthusiasts and those yearning for something fresh.
- The unique setting of dark mystery and contemporary themes in Clair Obscur, reminiscent of The Dark Pictures Anthology, may have drawn in PC gamers who shied away from more "anime" alternatives like Persona or Like A Dragon.
- The enthralling opening hours, engaging storytelling, and intriguing parry-based mechanics are all contributing factors to Clair Obscur's soaring success in the gaming world.
- As a fan, I eagerly await more developments from the game's universe and crave more encounters with the fascinatingly mysterious continent of Monoco.
- In the realm of entertainment, Clair Obscur's success is an interesting topic to discuss on social media, pop-culture blogs, and even movies-and-TV shows, as it intertwines with sports-betting, sports like basketball (NBA), and sci-fi and fantasy genres.
