Clair Obscur takes top Bafta Games Award but misses out on clean sweep

French studio Sandfall Interactive’s role-playing adventure Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was named best game at this year’s Bafta Games Awards, though it did not secure all the accolades it was anticipated to. The title earned three awards in total, including debut game and lead performer for Jennifer English. Despite 12 nominations across 10 categories, the game fell short in the supporting performer and music categories, surprising some observers.

While Dispatch—a superhero adventure—also claimed three awards, PlayStation’s Ghost of Yōtei took home two. The narrative of Expedition 33 revolves around a group of adventurers seeking to defeat The Paintress, a supernatural entity that limits human lifespans. The game was lauded for its emotional storytelling and turn-based combat system, which harkens back to classic RPG mechanics. Players were equally impressed by the backstory of its creators, a team who left Ubisoft to pursue their vision.

“We have thanked our players enough, but we will thank them again—we love you,” said Guillaume Broche, the studio’s leader, after accepting the best game award. He highlighted the impact of the game’s themes, such as grief and loss, noting that many fans shared how it resonated with them. “Your work changes lives,” he added, addressing the games industry professionals gathered at London’s Southbank Centre.

Some had speculated that Expedition 33 would dominate its nominations, but the Bafta Games Awards proved more unpredictable. A notable surprise was the music category, where Ghost of Yōtei triumphed. Its blend of Western orchestration and traditional Japanese instruments received widespread acclaim. Composer Lorien Testard’s work on the soundtrack was praised as a standout feature, earning recognition beyond the gaming world.

Meanwhile, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 captured the narrative award, a title known for its dynamic story that shifts based on player choices. Jennifer English, the lead performer, continued her winning streak with another Bafta triumph, though she joked that her biggest dream had yet to be fulfilled. “Thank you all, I love video games,” she concluded, expressing gratitude for the audience.

Episodic superhero game Dispatch also had a strong showing, securing three awards such as animation and audio. Jeffrey Wright, famed for his TV role in Westworld, won the supporting performer category, though he was absent from the ceremony. Tonda Ros, the sole creator of puzzle game Blue Prince, claimed the game design prize. He shared before the event that the project took eight years of dedication, working 80 hours weekly.

Bafta honored Ilkka Paananen, head of Supercell, with a fellowship award, acknowledging his 26-year contribution to the games industry. The honor highlighted mobile games, which are frequently overlooked in major awards. A special moment came with the debut of the title sequence for upcoming James Bond game 007: First Light, performed by Lana Del Rey. Composer David Arnold co-produced the track with the singer.

The Bafta Games Awards, a key event in an industry affected by recent layoffs, received 255 entries this year. CEO Jane Millichip noted that many titles came from UK-based indie developers, who often excel at the ceremony. “Bafta Games members are incredible and thoughtful about their choices,” she stated, emphasizing the significance of the voting process.