Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Writeup by Zek Lu
Could this be the most inevitable result ever? In my review of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, I made what felt like a bold claim, calling it the most impressive debut RPG I have ever played. Looking back, I am not sure even that statement goes far enough.
This is a game defined by intent. Its central premise, a world governed by a yearly ritual of erasure, is the philosophy that shapes every scene. Time is precious, and the game never wastes it. Every step of the journey, under the looming, daunting shadow of the monolith and toward its cruel Paintress, feels deliberately and perfectly paced. Everything about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a masterpiece, from its precise, rewarding combat to the breathtaking soundtrack by Lorien Testard, now one of my favorite video game composers of all time. I could go on and on about the other aspects, like the incredible voice performances, but they’ve already been covered extensively in this feature alone.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is quite possibly the game of the generation.
Runner-Up: Hades II
Writeup by Matt Wardell
The first Hades is the epitome of the roguelite genre—as fun to die in as it is to play. Death is met with advancement in story and dialogue, and players feel rewarded by making it an inch closer to escaping the Underworld. Hades II pulls off the same trick, and while not reinventing the wheel, it undeniably pimps the ride. Omega abilities, Magick, and sprinting alter Hades’ frenetic combat to be more thoughtful and timing-based. The story and setting are doubled in size, as are the amount of bosses and support characters you’ll either love or dread to meet. Hades II’s visuals, sound design, and combat mechanics are artfully polished and gel together into a cohesive and infinitely replayable package.
