Daredevil: Born Again star Charlie Cox, who voiced Gustave in Sandfall Interactive's critically-acclaimed and award-winning Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, has now experienced the game firsthand. The actor, known for his role in the Marvel series, admitted he is not an experienced gamer but took time to dive into the opening sections of the turn-based RPG.
Sandfall Interactive's debut title has captivated players and critics alike with its rich narrative and stunning visuals. Speaking to GamesRadar, Cox explained that he focused on exploring early areas, interacting with characters, and absorbing the world's details. "I've played the opening bit for a while and kind of walked around and met the people and garnered the information and all that kind of stuff. Not very well. I'm not very good," he said.
Cox further reflected on the experience of embodying his character through voice work. When considering how the performance connected to his own identity, he noted a clear separation between himself and the role he brought to life on screen. "It didn't really feel like me ... I didn't really think of it as me, I thought of it as Gustave," he added, highlighting the immersive yet detached nature of voicing a distinct personality within the game's story.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 achieved unprecedented success in the gaming industry upon its 2025 release. The title swept numerous accolades, ultimately claiming more Game of the Year honors than any previous release. It surpassed FromSoftware's Elden Ring, which had long held the record for the highest number of GOTY wins across publications and ceremonies. Trackers noted that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 reached at least 436 individual Game of the Year awards by early 2026, with potential for even more as remaining award seasons concluded. The game stood out for its innovative blend of turn-based combat, deep storytelling, and artistic direction that resonated widely. This level of recognition underscores the strong execution by the development team at Sandfall Interactive in their first major project.
While Cox provided the voice for Gustave, the motion-capture performance was handled by Maxence Cazorla. Cox received a nomination for Best Performance at The Game Awards but felt he did not merit full recognition for the character's overall portrayal. Cazorla suggested that awards shows might benefit from introducing a Best Character category, which would better acknowledge the collaborative efforts of voice actors, motion capture artists, animators, and writers in creating memorable game figures.
With Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 behind them, attention now turns to the future of Sandfall Interactive. As a new studio, the team has expressed excitement about building on their debut success and exploring fresh creative directions. Sandfall lead writer Jennifer Svedberg-Yen shared insights into the studio's guiding principles when speaking to Edge magazine. "Creatively, we've always let our North Star be our own personal taste in terms of what we think is cool--what it is we enjoy and want to see. I've seen too many TV shows and books be swayed trying to please a lot of people, and in the process you end up losing the heart of what's there," she said.
This philosophy emphasizes authenticity over broad appeal, suggesting that future projects will prioritize the team's personal vision. The remarkable reception of their first game has raised expectations, yet Sandfall appears committed to staying true to what inspired them initially.
