Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Shatters Expectations with 1 Million Sales in Just 72 Hours

Clair Obscur Expedition 33 has taken the gaming world by surprise. Released on April 24, 2025, this debut RPG from Sandfall Interactive sold over 1 million copies in just 72 hours. For a new studio, that’s a huge deal. It hit 500,000 sales in the first 24 hours, according to IGN, and doubled that by April 27, as reported by Gematsu. I’ve been following gaming trends for a while, and this kind of launch is rare, especially for a fresh team. Want more gaming updates? Check out Total Apex Gaming’s news section.

Breaking Down the Numbers

The sales split is interesting. Data from Alinea Analytics shows 785,000 copies sold on Steam and 350,000 on PlayStation. On Xbox, it’s a bit different—1.3 million players accessed it through Game Pass. That’s a massive reach for a game that’s only been out a few days. It’s clear players were eager to jump in, and the numbers prove it.

What’s the Game About?

Clair Obscur Expedition 33 drops you into a Belle Époque-inspired world where you lead a group called Expedition 33 against the Paintress, a figure who paints death annually. The combat mixes turn-based strategy with real-time action, which feels fresh yet familiar. I haven’t played it myself yet, but the setup sounds intriguing. You can read more on its Steam page.

Critics and Players Agree

The game’s getting rave reviews. It’s sitting at a 92 critic score on Metacritic and an insane 9.7 from users. Forbes says it could be the highest user-rated game ever, and TheGamer calls it a historic win. That kind of praise isn’t common, and it’s got me curious about what makes Clair Obscur Expedition 33 so special.

Why It’s Clicking with Gamers

So, what’s driving Clair Obscur Expedition 33’s hype? The gameplay’s a big part—mixing combat styles keeps it engaging. The visuals and music, featuring voices like Charlie Cox and Andy Serkis, add a lot too. Plus, the marketing was solid, with 500,000 Steam wishlists pre-launch. It’s a combo that’s clearly working.

A Growing Community

Players are sticking around, too. The endgame content is keeping them busy, with guides popping up on sites like Maxroll. SteamDB shows a peak of 121,422 concurrent players, which is wild for a new title. It’s building a real community.

Final Thoughts

Clair Obscur Expedition 33 isn’t just a hit—it’s a statement. Sandfall Interactive has shown what a small team can do with big ideas. If you’re into RPGs, this one’s worth a look. For more breakdowns like this, head over to Total Apex Gaming.