Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Writeup by Audra Bowling
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 hooks you from the very beginning with a heartbreakingly creative prologue setting a powerful tone for what follows. Its traditional RPG aspects are up front and center as you-as-Gustave and the tragic Sophie navigate the red flower-strewn streets of Lumiere: teleporting to different areas while sliding down ropes, testing parrying skills in clever yet surprisingly action-oriented turn-based combat, and flavoring dialogue through your choices. It all culminates in an unforgettable experience.
Clair Obscur feels very similar to the JRPGs it pays homage to while retaining its own creative identity. Its gorgeous music and phenomenal voice acting add to the haunting atmosphere. Exploring a detailed map with colorful and memorable designs immerses you in a world with plenty of challenges and mysteries. The game’s standout characters develop believably, leaving just as lasting an impression as its stellar exploration and fine-tuned combat. Most importantly, there’s plenty of heart, making Clair Obscur stand out in a stacked year of phenomenal traditional RPGs.
Runner-Up: Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter
Writeup by Paul Skevington
You can’t get much more traditional than something that first came out in 2004, so from that perspective, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter absolutely deserves its place in this category. But of course, this entirely remade version of Trails in the Sky FC is quite a different beast from that lauded first entry in the cult JRPG series. It now features hybrid combat, full English voice acting, and stunningly realised 3D graphics to make a grown Bracer cry. Nevertheless, the core of the experience remains the same as it was back in the early 2000s. Its slow-paced world-building, engaging cast, and gradually unveiled plot provide the lift for this wonderfully realised RPG dirigible.
