Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the debut RPG from French developer Sandfall Interactive, has officially crossed the 2 million units sold mark just 12 days after its release—an explosive launch that has caught much of the industry by surprise.

In a statement shared by the studio earlier today, Sandfall confirmed the milestone, thanking fans for the “overwhelming support and passion” shown since the game launched on April 24. “This is a dream come true,” the statement read. “We built Expedition 33 as a love letter to the genre, and seeing players around the world embrace it so quickly is deeply humbling.”

The game, a turn-based RPG with real-time dodging mechanics and painterly Belle Époque aesthetics, was heavily anticipated following standout showings during last year’s Summer Game Fest and Gamescom. But few predicted it would become one of the fastest-selling original IPs of 2025.

An Unexpected Start

In an interview with Insider Gaming, Director Lucas Renault revealed that the idea for Expedition 33 came about while he was feeling “bored” at Ubisoft, where he worked as a senior designer on several major titles before striking out on his own. “I just needed to get away from the grind,” Renault said. “I wanted to make something different, something personal. That’s when the concept of Expedition 33 started to form. It all came from a moment of frustration, honestly.”

The game’s unlikely origins don’t end there. The studio’s lead writer, Zoé Marcotte, was discovered after posting a narrative pitch on Reddit, which caught Renault’s eye. “I was blown away by her understanding of character and world-building,” Renault shared. “We immediately reached out to her.”

Perhaps most surprising is the story behind the game’s composer, Remy Dupont, who had never worked on a video game soundtrack before. Dupont, a classically trained musician, was discovered through his atmospheric compositions on SoundCloud. “He was creating cinematic music that we thought would perfectly complement the tone of the game,” Renault said.

A Small But Mighty Team

Despite the massive success of Expedition 33, the team behind it remains surprisingly small. At the height of development, Sandfall Interactive employed only around 30 people—most of whom were junior developers with limited experience in AAA games. “It was an incredibly tight-knit team,” Renault explained. “We all wore multiple hats. Everyone had to pitch in, and we had to learn fast. But that freedom allowed us to experiment and really push boundaries in ways a bigger team might not have.”

Game Pass Helped—But So Did Word of Mouth

While Expedition 33 launched day-one on Xbox Game Pass, it still posted strong sales across PlayStation 5 and PC, where the majority of purchases appear to have taken place. Xbox sales were slightly lower, a trend often seen with day-one Game Pass titles, but engagement metrics on the platform remain high.

Insiders reveal that Sandfall has already recouped development costs and is now in active discussions regarding a follow-up project, though no sequel has been confirmed yet.

Critical Darling

The breakout hit hasn’t just sold well—it’s also won over critics. Expedition 33 currently holds a 92 Metacritic score, making it the highest-rated new IP of the year and one of the best-reviewed RPGs of the current generation. Many outlets have already started shortlisting it as a Game of the Year contender.

GamesRadar called it “a genre-defining moment,” while IGN praised its “fluid combat system and breathtaking worldbuilding.”

Even French President Emmanuel Macron chimed in, calling the title “an example of French audacity in game development.”

What Comes Next?

With sales continuing to climb and a vibrant online community forming around the game’s lore and secrets, Sandfall Interactive is poised to become one of the most talked-about studios of 2025.

Sources close to the team say there’s already internal discussion of potential DLC or post-launch content, though nothing has been officially announced.

For now, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. And if the first 12 days are any indication, Sandfall Interactive just painted its masterpiece—and it’s only the beginning.