Former FPS Pro Admits Asmongold Was Right About Award-Winning RPG Following Controversial Pre-Game Awards Comments
Michael "Shroud" Grzesiek has officially eaten his words regarding Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The former professional FPS player and popular Twitch streamer, who made headlines in November 2025 by urging his fanbase to vote against the JRPG-inspired title in Game of the Year considerations, has now acknowledged that the game is actually quite good after finally sitting down to play it himself.
The admission came during a December 21 livestream where Grzesiek dedicated approximately seven hours to Sandfall Interactive's critically acclaimed release. His verdict? The game he once dismissed without playing has earned his genuine appreciation.
The Controversy
The streamer's journey to this point began with controversy. In early November 2025, Shroud publicly campaigned for ARC Raiders to defeat Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 in any Game of the Year award that featured public voting. During his initial comments, he made a direct appeal to his audience: "Do not let that Expedition game win game of the year." He called for viewers to "band together" and support ARC Raiders instead.
Shroud's argument centered on what he perceived as a longstanding imbalance in gaming awards. He suggested that multiplayer titles have been underrepresented at award ceremonies and proposed that if one were to finally claim the top honor, ARC Raiders would be a deserving choice. He characterized multiplayer gamers as "the minority" in these discussions.
The comments generated significant backlash from multiple angles. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 fans took issue with his dismissal of their game. Beyond the immediate fanbase reaction, broader criticism emerged questioning the logic of his claims. Critics pointed out that multiplayer games have dominated best-seller charts for years, making Shroud's characterization of multiplayer gamers as a "minority" audience difficult to justify. Others took issue with the fundamental problem of the streamer dismissing Sandfall Interactive's RPG so definitively without ever having played it.
A Promise Made and Kept
In response to the mounting criticism, Shroud made a commitment: if Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won the Game of the Year accolade at The Game Awards 2025, he would play it himself. The RPG proceeded to not only win the ceremony's biggest prize but also claimed eight additional categories in what became a record-breaking performance at the event.
True to his word, Grzesiek followed through on his pledge. His December 21 stream ran for approximately 12 hours total, beginning with ARC Raiders before transitioning to focus primarily on the award-winning RPG that had dominated The Game Awards. By the end of his Clair Obscur session, Shroud had fully explored several of the game's early locations and assembled a three-person party.
Asmongold Called It
The turning point in Shroud's perspective became apparent near the end of his stream, around the 12:25:32 mark. "Dare I say Asmongold was right," Grzesiek stated, referencing a prediction made by fellow content creator Asmongold. "He said, when I play this game after it wins Game of the Year, I'm gonna enjoy it."
Shroud acknowledged some hesitation about declaring his enjoyment so definitively while still relatively early in the experience. "Is it too soon to say that?" he questioned, seemingly bargaining with his own changing opinion. However, he expressed optimism about what lay ahead: "The game can't get worse; it's gonna only get better."
By the conclusion of his stream, Shroud had fully committed to his positive assessment. "The game's cool, I like it," he stated plainly.
Combat That Transcends Genre Preferences
Shroud's praise focused specifically on the gameplay elements, particularly highlighting his enjoyment of learning Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's parrying system. His reaction mirrors the experience reported by numerous players who typically avoid turn-based RPGs but found themselves drawn into this particular title.
The streamer openly admitted that he is not usually a fan of turn-based games as a genre. He expressed uncertainty about whether he would have enjoyed Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as much without its engaging real-time combat component, which sets it apart from more traditional turn-based offerings.
Regarding the narrative aspects of the game, Shroud offered limited commentary. He noted that the pacing was picking up by the time he concluded his session, but clarified that storytelling is not something he generally prioritizes when playing games.
No Full Retraction on ARC Raiders Position
Notably, while Shroud acknowledged enjoying Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, he did not walk back his earlier position that ARC Raiders deserves a Game of the Year award win over the Sandfall Interactive title. His newfound appreciation for the JRPG-inspired game exists alongside his continued support for the multiplayer shooter.
The fact that someone who was initially so publicly dismissive of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 ended up genuinely enjoying it speaks to the broad mainstream appeal that Sandfall Interactive achieved with its debut release. The game's success at The Game Awards undoubtedly drove a wave of new players to discover what earned it such recognition, and Shroud represents a high-profile example of that phenomenon.
Sandfall Interactive's Future
Riding the momentum of their award-winning debut, Sandfall Interactive has revealed that early work has already begun on their next project. In an October 2025 interview, the studio's CEO and Creative Director Guillaume Broche offered a glimpse at what players might expect. He described the upcoming title as "very unique and artsy," suggesting the developer intends to continue pursuing distinctive creative visions.
Broche also indicated that the studio does not plan to significantly expand its headcount for the new project, suggesting Sandfall Interactive will maintain the focused team approach that delivered their debut success.
The Broader Picture
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's journey from divisive talking point to vindicated champion represents one of 2025's most compelling gaming narratives. The title's ability to convert skeptics, including those who actively campaigned against it, demonstrates the power of actually engaging with a game before passing judgment.
For Shroud's audience and the broader gaming community, his seven-hour session serves as a reminder that genre preferences and preconceptions can sometimes obscure genuinely enjoyable experiences. While the streamer maintains his support for multiplayer titles and ARC Raiders specifically, his willingness to acknowledge Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's quality after playing it represents a more nuanced position than his initial dismissive stance.
Whether this changes how Shroud approaches future Game of the Year discussions remains to be seen. For now, at least one prominent critic has joined the growing chorus of players praising Sandfall Interactive's debut, even if he arrived at the party later than most.
