This beautifully crafted, tearjerking RPG is now making its mark on the Billboard charts
Although video game soundtracks rarely climb the Billboard charts, some defy the odds, from Minecraft's eerie serenity to Cuphead's brassy swagger. Now, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 ascends with artistic force, captivating listeners beyond gaming and proving that music born in pixels can echo far beyond the screen. A glance at the Billboard Classical Albums chart reveals Expedition 33 proudly at number one, and rightfully so. Beyond its gripping story and fun-filled turn-based RPG mechanics, the soundtrack stands out as unforgettable. The main menu alone drew in so many players, myself included, with its captivating tone. I've found myself humming its theme all week, immersed in the haunting vocals and the delicate arrangement of strings. Screenshot via Billboard What makes this triumph even more impressive is the serendipitous journey of Lorien Testard, the composer behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. His path to the project began in the most unexpected way—by sharing his SoundCloud compositions on a video game forum. There, Guillaume Broche, Game Director of Sandfall Interactive, discovered Testard's work, setting the stage for a fortuitous collaboration that would define the soundtrack of Expedition 33. It just goes to show how anything can happen in the video game industry, even if it starts off as a simple conversation on a forum. Testard's own journey through the world of video games has profoundly influenced his approach to composing. On the official Expedition 33 page, he mentions that The Legend of Zelda features one of the most "unforgettable soundtracks." I can certainly see the inspiration behind this in Expedition 33, where echoes of that iconic score can be felt in the sweeping melodies and richly layered orchestration. But, of course, Testard adds his own unique spin to the world of music, and I reckon his work may inspire other virtuosos in future projects. Considering that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has claimed the number one spot on Billboard's Classical Albums, it's certainly a strong contender for Best Score and Music at the Game Awards. Heck, I would even argue it has the potential to take home the crown for Game of the Year, though there's still plenty of time left before 2025 draws to a close. With the year unfolding, the journey of Expedition 33 is far from over, and it will be exciting to see just how much more it leaves its mark on the world of gaming and music. The post This beautifully crafted, tearjerking RPG is now making its mark on the Billboard charts appeared first on Destructoid.
Although video game soundtracks rarely climb the Billboard charts, some defy the odds, from Minecraft's eerie serenity to Cuphead's brassy swagger. Now, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 ascends with artistic force, captivating listeners beyond gaming and proving that music born in pixels can echo far beyond the screen.
A glance at the Billboard Classical Albums chart reveals Expedition 33 proudly at number one, and rightfully so. Beyond its gripping story and fun-filled turn-based RPG mechanics, the soundtrack stands out as unforgettable. The main menu alone drew in so many players, myself included, with its captivating tone. I've found myself humming its theme all week, immersed in the haunting vocals and the delicate arrangement of strings.
What makes this triumph even more impressive is the serendipitous journey of Lorien Testard, the composer behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. His path to the project began in the most unexpected way—by sharing his SoundCloud compositions on a video game forum. There, Guillaume Broche, Game Director of Sandfall Interactive, discovered Testard's work, setting the stage for a fortuitous collaboration that would define the soundtrack of Expedition 33. It just goes to show how anything can happen in the video game industry, even if it starts off as a simple conversation on a forum.
Testard's own journey through the world of video games has profoundly influenced his approach to composing. On the official Expedition 33 page, he mentions that The Legend of Zelda features one of the most "unforgettable soundtracks." I can certainly see the inspiration behind this in Expedition 33, where echoes of that iconic score can be felt in the sweeping melodies and richly layered orchestration. But, of course, Testard adds his own unique spin to the world of music, and I reckon his work may inspire other virtuosos in future projects.
Considering that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has claimed the number one spot on Billboard's Classical Albums, it's certainly a strong contender for Best Score and Music at the Game Awards. Heck, I would even argue it has the potential to take home the crown for Game of the Year, though there's still plenty of time left before 2025 draws to a close. With the year unfolding, the journey of Expedition 33 is far from over, and it will be exciting to see just how much more it leaves its mark on the world of gaming and music.
The post This beautifully crafted, tearjerking RPG is now making its mark on the Billboard charts appeared first on Destructoid.
