Recently the turn-based RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 took home Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2025. Sweeping the board with a total of 9 awards, it has become the most awarded game in the history of the prestigious event, dethroning The Last of Us Part II, which previously held the record with 7 wins.
Following the ceremony, Sandfall Interactive, creators of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (E33), announced that, as a thank you to the community that has supported them, they have released a free DLC appropriately titled the ‘Thank You’ Update.
The DLC features a new location called Verso’s Drafts, taking the protagonists on new adventures and challenges. Furthermore, it includes new tracks by Lorien Testard, the original game’s composer. There are a few other minor additions E33 received in this update, which you can read about here.
I want to take a moment to touch on my personal experience as a fan of E33, as it’s been years since a video game has captivated my imagination and enthusiasm in such a way.
It felt like the game didn’t try to overreach, but everything it set out to achieve, it executed flawlessly, which undoubtedly contributed to that awards sweep. This includes its highly original story, the general feeling of melancholy and intrigue, the engaging characters and dialogue, the diverse environments, and above all, the art direction. Everything is incredibly polished and designed; you can feel the creators’ personal passion poured into every corner, something they perfectly transmit to the players.
I was pleased it was a turn-based RPG, as this genre has always been a favorite of mine. However, in E33’s case, the system includes a notable twist on the traditional model in the form of evasion and parry mechanics, which must be executed at precise moments based on audio-visual cues. In essence, it’s a Final Fantasy-style turn-based system with touches of a modern game like Dark Souls or Sekiro.
I confess that, while I can appreciate the thrill this twist brings to the experience, at times I found it exhausting. I like traditional turn-based games precisely because they allow me to play calmly without needing to hyper-focus on reactions and button timing, letting me make purely strategic decisions. This isn’t the case with E33, which often keeps you on the edge of your seat. Though I admit, once you master the system, pulling off those parries feels incredibly satisfying.
One of the standout elements is the soundtrack composed by Lorien Testard. I was impressed by the quantity, quality, and diversity of the music. I don’t think I’ve ever played a video game with so much music that was so well integrated.
The main area in Verso’s Drafts is super colorful and surreal, featuring plenty of pastel tones and a setting filled with childlike elements, giant candy decorations, colorful balloons, and even components of an amusement park. All surrounded by a vivid forest area. Without going into spoilers, it represents an important place for Verso, one of the protagonists, adding significant depth to his character.
The music for Verso’s Drafts follows the blueprint of the original game, blending classical and electronic influences, but here it reflects the relaxed, whimsical, and playful nature of this new area. This is especially noticeable in Whee Whoo Days, the main exploration theme.
There are two new tracks accompanying combat: one is quite chill with a House sound called Time to Swim Swim, and the other is an alternate, more serious piece based on strings and a classical sound, titled The End in Me.
Osquio is an excellent electronic track with a Techno sound that plays during one of the DLC’s most interesting moments: it serves as the theme for the dramatic battle against a new boss named Osquio, who is essentially an evil version of the beloved character Esquie.
Alice Duport-Percier, the celebrated French singer who features on the base game’s soundtrack, lends her voice to some tracks in this collection. The final piece, Pour Que Naisse Un Bouquet, [So That a Bouquet May Be Born], is a melancholic ballad on acoustic guitar and piano where Duport-Percier’s voice sounds emotional and beautiful, recalling the music from moments in the original game. It can be heard in a place you must enter through massive gates made of Gingerbread, though not before completing certain requirements.
The Verso’s Drafts soundtrack is a short collection of songs that I found brilliant, and it’s clear they were composed with the same dedication as the tracks in the original game. It is also a celebration of the title’s success and accompanies the new DLC area perfectly. Lorien Testard is undoubtedly a great composer with a bright future, and one we’ll be hearing a lot more from.
So, to all fans of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, you cannot miss visiting Verso’s Drafts.
