Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has already been a major contender during the early awards season, and now it has claimed a new milestone. Xbox has officially announced that the Sandfall Interactive RPG is the biggest third-party Game Pass launch of 2025, marking a significant achievement for both the game and the platform.
According to Xbox, Expedition 33 reached the highest number of unique users of any third-party title during its first 30 days on Xbox Game Pass. The game launched as a Day 1 title on April 24 for both Xbox and PC, immediately giving subscribers access to one of the year’s most talked-about RPGs.
A Partnership a Year in the Making
Xbox has been involved with Clair Obscur since 2024, when the game debuted during a Developer Direct showcase. That early reveal captured attention with its striking visual design and timing-based twist on turn-based combat. A year later, the strong promotional push appears to have paid off—both for Sandfall Interactive and for Xbox.
Critics have praised Expedition 33 from the start, but this latest accolade shows how strongly the game resonated with players. Its Day 1 availability on Game Pass undoubtedly lowered the barrier to entry and encouraged subscribers to try it immediately, contributing to its rapid growth.
On a platform filled with diverse Game Pass releases, becoming the biggest third-party launch of the year is a significant achievement.
Game Pass Boosted the Game’s Reach and Popularity
While Expedition 33 likely would have found success on its own, being part of the Game Pass lineup amplified its reach dramatically. As more players tried the game, shared their experiences, and praised its unique combat and presentation, the audience expanded even further.
The relationship between Game Pass and Clair Obscur proved mutually beneficial. Sandfall’s RPG strengthened the platform’s 2025 lineup, while the subscription service gave the game a wider spotlight than it may have received otherwise.
With the game already earning critical acclaim and early award wins, its momentum shows no signs of slowing.
What Is Xbox’s Biggest Game Pass Launch of 2025?
Notably, Xbox specifies that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the biggest third-party Game Pass launch—leaving open the question of the year’s biggest overall Game Pass release.
Several first-party contenders stand out:
- Avowed, which launched to strong reviews
- Doom: The Dark Ages, bringing a medieval twist to the franchise
- The Outer Worlds 2, delivering another major RPG release
However, the strongest candidate appears to be Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, now a first-party title. Despite lower sales compared to earlier entries, Black Ops 7 topped active player charts across Xbox and PlayStation. A large portion of its player base likely accessed it via Game Pass, potentially giving it the edge as the biggest overall launch of the year.
Xbox has yet to make an official announcement on this, so the final verdict is still pending.
A Strong Awards Season Ahead
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has already picked up victories at the Golden Joystick Awards, and with Xbox’s new recognition added to its resume, the RPG is entering The Game Awards with strong momentum.
If the early buzz is any indication, this may only be the beginning of a long awards season run for Sandfall Interactive’s standout RPG.
