Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has earned another accolade. The RPG from Montpellier-based studio Sandfall Interactive won the Pégase Award for Best Video Game of the Year on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the 7th annual ceremony held at La Cigale in Paris, according to AFP. This French trophy adds to an already impressive list of accolades for a title inspired by Belle Époque Paris.
A quartet of trophies at La Cigale
In addition to the top prize, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 also received awards for “Visual Excellence,” “Narrative Excellence,” and “Best Sound Design,” according to AFP. On stage, Tom Guillermin, one of the studio's co-founders, hailed it as “a tremendous honor,” explaining that the game had found “both its audience and its place in the industry.” The team also highlighted their collaboration with eight South Korean animators who were invited for the occasion.
This accolade extends an already established international momentum: the game was named best game at the Game Awards in Los Angeles in December. Clair Obscur has become the most awarded game in history with 436 awards.
A “French touch” success driven by a small team
The triumph is also striking because of the project's scale. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was developed largely by a team of around thirty people, a modest size compared to the industry giants, according to AFP. The game is published by the British publisher Kepler Interactive, which hasn't prevented the French production from making its mark in several major categories.
Upon receiving the "Narrative Excellence" award, game director Guillaume Broche championed a uniquely French approach: "We have that little something extra in France, in stories that address themes that aren't necessarily easy to tackle, but do so with great accuracy and sincerity," a statement quoted by AFP. This is a strong signal for a French industry experiencing a period of contrasts, marked by both critical acclaim and economic difficulties for some established players.
