Recently, a headline caught my attention, claiming that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is not only tied as the highest-scored game of 2025 but also stands as one of the highest-scored games in history. Upon further investigation, I discovered that while the game's 92 Metascore may not be the highest compared to others, it is indeed true that it boasts an exceptional user score. Currently, this game holds an impressive 9.6/10 user rating on Metacritic, making it one of the best user-scored games to date.
With hundreds of player reviews contributing to its score, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has achieved a remarkable feat that sets it apart from its competitors. When browsing through the list of highest user scores on Metacritic, I found that the closest contender is The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine DLC, which has a user score of 9.3. Other renowned titles also populate this list, with scores ranging from 9.0 to 9.2. For instance, Ocarina of Time holds a score of 9.1, while Final Fantasy VII has an 8.9, and GTA 5 registers at 8.5.
When considering more recent releases, notable titles include Elden Ring with a score of 8.2, The Last of Us at 9.2, and Baldur’s Gate 3, which also holds a score of 9.2. In contrast, this year’s Blue Prince, which shares a 92 Metascore, has a significantly lower user rating of 7.6. This further emphasizes the exceptional standing of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 in the current gaming landscape.
It's important to note that I refer to Clair Obscur as potentially the highest user-scored game of all time because I haven't explored all thousands of games that exist on the platform. However, as of now, it certainly appears to hold that title. On Steam, it enjoys a stellar but not record-breaking score of 93% positive reviews, indicating that while it thrives on multiple platforms, its Metacritic score is particularly noteworthy.
The future of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and its user score remains uncertain. As more reviews trickle in over days, weeks, or even months, there is a possibility that its score could drop. Currently, the game is experiencing a surge of excitement among players, with many declaring it their Game of the Year (GOTY) after just a brief gameplay experience. Some have even positioned it alongside the best entries in the Final Fantasy series, despite it being developed by a new studio with just 33 employees.
With overwhelming praise from players and its status as a frontrunner for GOTY, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is capturing the hearts of many, even amidst a competitive year filled with significant game releases. As we look forward, it will be intriguing to see how it performs against upcoming titles like GTA 6. One thing is for sure: this game is beloved, and anything is possible in the ever-evolving world of gaming.
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