Imagine a world where an underdog game suddenly eclipses some of the biggest titans in gaming history. That's exactly what's happening with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. This RPG has unexpectedly stormed the Game of the Year (GOTY) scene, achieving a level of recognition that's making headlines and sparking debate.
Expedition 33 has officially secured the 3rd-most GOTY awards ever, surpassing both Baldur’s Gate 3 and The Witcher 3 - titles widely considered masterpieces. We're talking about being honored by over 291 different publications, award shows, and gaming magazines. That's a staggering achievement! Baldur’s Gate 3, a recent darling of the gaming world, snagged 288 GOTY awards in 2023. Expedition 33 didn't just beat it; it left it in the dust!
Currently, only The Last of Us Part II (with 326 GOTY wins) and Elden Ring, the undisputed champion of 2022, stand ahead of Expedition 33. To put this into perspective, over 428 GOTY awards have been handed out in 2025 so far, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has claimed a whopping 291 of them. This translates to the game winning 68% of the GOTY honors in 2025. This places it among the elite in terms of percentage wins, just behind Elden Ring (70%), Street Fighter II (80%), and the legendary The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (87%).
But here's where it gets controversial... Expedition 33's journey hasn't been without its bumps. The game faced scrutiny and even had an award temporarily rescinded due to the use of AI in its development. There was a Game of the Year award in Thailand and an Indie Game Award, but the latter was later taken back due to the AI controversy. You can read more about the AI controversy and the developer's response here: [https://tech4gamers.com/expedition-33-devs-on-using-ai/].
Despite this controversy, the game's overall success is undeniable. And this is the part most people miss: the sheer volume of awards Expedition 33 has received despite this controversy is a testament to its quality.
With more GOTY announcements still on the horizon, Expedition 33 has a genuine shot at overtaking The Last of Us Part II and claiming the number two spot. With the AI controversy seemingly behind them now, who knows what the future holds for this breakout title?
Do you think Expedition 33 deserves its place among the GOTY elite? Does the AI controversy change your opinion of the game? Or do you think that the game's artistic merit transcends the controversies surrounding its development? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Or, if you're feeling more talkative, head over to the Tech4Gamers forum to join the discussion: [https://forums.tech4gamers.com/threads/expedition-33-has-the-3rd-most-goty-awards-ever-overtaking-baldurs-gate-3-and-the-witcher-3.4544/]
