Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 added another major achievement to its growing list of accolades after winning two Excellence Awards at the CEDEC Awards 2026, one of Japan’s most respected events celebrating excellence in game development.
Announced during the awards ceremony at Pacifico Yokohama on July 23, the RPG was recognized in both the Game Design Division and the Sound Division, highlighting the creativity behind its gameplay mechanics and audio production. The dual honors place Sandfall Interactive’s debut title among the standout games recognized by developers at this year’s conference.
While Nintendo’s Donkey Kong Bananza dominated the Grand Awards, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 distinguished itself by earning praise for successfully modernizing turn-based combat while delivering an audio experience that strengthens the game’s distinctive fantasy world.
Hybrid combat and immersive audio earn industry recognition
CEDEC honored Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 in the Game Design Division for creating
“a new combat experience fusing turn-based and action gameplay.”
The French studio explained that the team wanted to balance strategy with real-time action by combining traditional command-based combat inspired by classic JRPGs such as Final Fantasy and Persona with reactive mechanics like dodging and parrying reminiscent of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
Accepting the award, the developers said the project was created with
“extraordinary passion”
and a desire to deliver an unforgettable RPG experience. The team added that they were happiest to see players around the world embrace what they described as their challenging approach to gameplay.
The game also secured an Excellence Award in the Sound Division for its music and audio direction, which CEDEC praised for accentuating the game’s unique world while clearly conveying the creators’ artistic vision.
During the ceremony, Sandfall Interactive thanked fans for their continued support and credited the entire audio team, including composer Lorien Testard, voice actors, sound designers, and environmental audio specialists.
The developers said the recognition encourages the studio to continue creating
“even more captivating soundscapes and music,”
while emphasizing that every acoustic element was carefully combined to maximize player immersion.
The two awards reinforce Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as one of 2026’s most celebrated RPGs, earning industry recognition not only for its critically acclaimed hybrid combat system but also for an audio presentation that complements its richly imagined world.
