Tag: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

  • Redditor’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Artbook Seized for Funny Reason

    Redditor’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Artbook Seized for Funny Reason

    Key Takeaways

    1. The collector’s edition of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 took eight months to arrive.
    2. Customs officials in Iraq classified the edition as a historic artefact and seized it for evaluation.
    3. The original poster has not provided updates on the situation regarding the seized items.
    4. The game disc remained unaffected, allowing the original poster to still play the game.
    5. The Iraqi government’s actions are cautious due to past exploitation of ancient artefacts for illegal activities.

    Reddit user Ahmed15252 shared a unique story about his journey with the collector’s edition of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which took a whopping eight months to reach him. This special edition includes an art book featuring concept art from the game, among other items. However, upon arriving in Iraq, customs officials took a look at it and classified it as an artefact of historic importance. They even went so far as to seize it and send it to the Ministry of Culture and Antiquities for evaluation of its historical significance.

    Awaiting an Update

    As of now, the original poster (OP) hasn’t provided any updates, so we might have to wait some time before knowing how this all turned out. Hopefully, someone in the higher ranks will examine the book, which has modern features like copyright information and shiny pages, and eventually return it to its rightful owner. Thankfully, the game disc itself remained untouched, allowing him to still play Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

    A Cautious Approach

    Although the actions taken by the Iraqi government may appear somewhat excessive, they stem from a place of vigilance. Historically, ancient artefacts have been exploited as a means for money laundering. The US State Department and the European Union have shared detailed reports on how such items are used by bad actors to finance illegal activities in the area.

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  • Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Nominated at Game Developers Choice 2026

    Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Nominated at Game Developers Choice 2026

    Key Takeaways

    1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has received eight nominations for the 26th GDC Awards, making it a standout title in 2025.
    2. The game is recognized in nearly every category, including Best Audio, Best Design, and Game of the Year, missing only the Social Impact category.
    3. It has been praised for its immersive world, character development, combat mechanics, and narrative.
    4. Other notable contenders include Ghost of Yotei with five nominations and Blue Prince, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Split Fiction with four nominations each.
    5. The GDC Awards are determined by industry professionals, with winners chosen by the International Choice Awards Network, excluding public voting.

    Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has proven to be a standout title in 2025, and its accolades continue to grow. The game has been lauded for its immersive world, intricately developed characters, captivating combat mechanics, and compelling narrative. Due to its impressive reception, it has accumulated numerous awards throughout the past year, and this momentum is now leading it to the Game Developers Choice Awards.

    Award Nominations Announced

    The nominations for the 26th edition of the GDC Awards have been announced, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 dominating the line-up with a total of eight nominations. The awards ceremony is scheduled for March 12 during the GDC Festival of Gaming in San Francisco. With only nine categories available, the game is competing in nearly every single one.

    Categories of Recognition

    Expedition 33 is in the running for Best Audio, Best Debut, Best Design, Innovation Award, Best Narrative, Best Technology, Best Visual Art, and Game of the Year. The only category it missed out on is Social Impact.

    Other Contenders

    This year’s awards also feature several other notable titles. Ghost of Yotei has garnered five nominations, while Blue Prince, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Split Fiction each secured four nominations. Interestingly, Hollow Knight: Silksong only earned a nomination for Game of the Year, contrary to expectations of it being nominated in multiple categories.

    It’s important to highlight that the GDC Awards are determined exclusively by professionals within the industry. Winners are selected by the International Choice Awards Network, which consists of developers and creators from all corners of the gaming world. As a result, no public voting is included in the decision-making process.

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  • Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Team Claims Double the Work Done

    Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Team Claims Double the Work Done

    Key Takeaways

    1. Surprising Success: “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” became a standout title of 2025, winning multiple awards and receiving acclaim for its immersive design and storytelling.

    2. Youthful Development Team: The studio, Sandfall Interactive, employed a young and inexperienced team, which contributed fresh ideas and perspectives to the project.

    3. Budget Constraints: The decision to hire younger developers was influenced by budget limitations, making it essential to bring in talent without prior expectations or negative habits.

    4. Increased Workload: The team’s innovative approach resulted in a heavier workload, as they had to create and test systems from scratch, facing challenges they had not encountered before.

    5. Collaboration for Growth: The producer emphasized the importance of collaborating with other studios to share ideas and incorporate best practices, enhancing the team’s development process.

    Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as one of the standout titles of 2025, catching many by surprise with its success. It garnered several awards at various events and received high praise for its immersive world design, compelling storytelling, engaging combat mechanics, and well-developed characters. The game made quite an impact, especially considering it was the studio’s first project. Yet, behind this triumph was a development journey that required much more effort than what is typical.

    Fresh Faces in Development

    Michel Nohra, the lead designer at Sandfall Interactive, recently shared insights with Edge Magazine about the youthful and relatively inexperienced team at the studio. He mentioned that these developers entered without preconceived notions about studio operations or game development. Their fresh viewpoints ultimately proved to be invaluable to the project.

    “The younger staff didn’t have any expectations about how a studio should be run and how a game should be made, and they brought fresh ideas that were very valuable for the rest of the project,” Nohra explained.

    A Necessary Strategy

    Nohra also emphasized that the decision to hire a younger team wasn’t purely voluntary. In the early stages of development, Sandfall Interactive lacked the budget to recruit many seasoned developers, making it essential to bring in younger talent. Nevertheless, he feels this choice was beneficial, as hiring younger developers positively impacted the project.

    Francois Meurisse, the game’s producer, added that the youthful composition of the team meant that no one arrived with negative habits learned from earlier experiences at other studios. Instead, everyone was on a shared learning journey, developing systems together and progressing at a uniform pace.

    Challenges of Innovation

    However, Meurisse did highlight a significant downside. Since the team was innovating and crafting numerous systems from the ground up, their workload was notably heavier than what a more experienced team might face. Each aspect had to be thoroughly researched, tested, and fine-tuned, as they were confronting challenges on a scale they had not previously encountered.

    “We were trying to create something new, and even new skills, from scratch.” He further added, “I’d say we basically did twice the work, because we were doing things for the first time to that scale.”

    Meurisse also mentioned that he invested considerable time collaborating with other studios in France, particularly in Montpellier, which is known for its concentration of game developers. He noted that sharing ideas and gaining insights from others enabled the team to grasp best practices and implement them effectively.

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  • 2025 Steam Awards Winners: Hollow Knight Silksong Takes GOTY

    2025 Steam Awards Winners: Hollow Knight Silksong Takes GOTY

    Key Takeaways

    1. Hollow Knight: Silksong won Game of the Year at the 2025 Steam Awards.
    2. Hollow Knight: Silksong also received the award for “Best Game You Suck At.”
    3. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won the Best Soundtrack award instead of Game of the Year.
    4. The voting for the Steam Awards took place in November 2025.
    5. Hollow Knight: Silksong is the only title to win two awards at the Steam Awards.

    Valve has revealed the winners of the 2025 Steam Awards, concluding several weeks of community voting. The voting kicked off in November 2025, giving Steam users the chance to select their top picks across various categories. Now, the outcomes are finally available.

    Hollow Knight: Silksong Takes the Spotlight

    Hollow Knight: Silksong has been crowned Game of the Year at the 2025 Steam Awards. This eagerly awaited Metroidvania sequel was launched last year after a protracted development period, quickly becoming one of the most popular titles on Steam. Silksong didn’t just stop at one honor; it also nabbed the award for “Best Game You Suck At,” a category that showcases games recognized for their challenging and intense gameplay. This achievement makes Silksong the sole title to earn two accolades at the Steam Awards.

    Surprises in the Awards

    While many anticipated that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 would take home the Game of the Year trophy, given its success at other prestigious events, it ultimately won the Best Soundtrack award instead. Here is a complete list of the victors of the 2025 Steam Awards:

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  • Indie Game Awards Disqualify Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

    Indie Game Awards Disqualify Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

    Key Takeaways

    1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won both Game of the Year and Debut Game at the Indie Game Awards.
    2. Controversy arose when Sandfall Interactive revealed the use of generative AI in the game’s development.
    3. The Indie Game Awards have strict rules against the use of generative AI in nominated games.
    4. The game’s producer admitted to using generative AI on the day of the awards, leading to disqualification.
    5. The awards were reassigned, with Sorry We’re Closed winning Debut Game and Blue Prince winning Game of the Year.

    Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 had an exciting evening at the Indie Game Awards, where it took home both the Game of the Year and Debut Game trophies, which are two of the most prestigious honors given at the event. For Sandfall Interactive, this was an incredible achievement. Nevertheless, the joy was short-lived.

    Controversy Erupts

    Soon after the ceremony, a wave of controversy emerged when Sandfall Interactive disclosed that they had utilized generative AI in the making of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The Indie Game Awards have stringent guidelines regarding the use of generative AI, and it appears those guidelines were violated. As a result, they decided to rescind both awards.

    Statement from Indie Game Awards

    The Indie Game Awards issued a statement clarifying their decision, emphasizing that no generative AI can be employed at any phase of game development for titles being considered for the awards. When Clair Obscur was initially submitted, Sandfall Interactive had affirmed that generative AI was not part of the project. This assurance allowed the game to compete and ultimately be crowned as a winner.

    “The Indie Game Awards firmly oppose the use of generative AI during both the nomination and award processes. When Sandfall Interactive submitted Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, they confirmed that no generative AI was involved in its development.”

    The Producer’s Admission

    However, on the very day of the Indie Game Awards 2025, the game’s producer, François Meurisse, acknowledged that some generative AI had indeed been utilized during production. Although these assets were subsequently removed through patches, the awards committee maintained that this action still violated their rules. Consequently, they ruled that the game could no longer qualify for any awards.

    “Given that Sandfall Interactive admitted to using generative AI art during production on the day of the Indie Game Awards 2025, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is disqualified from its nomination. Although the assets were patched out and the game itself is remarkable, it does conflict with our established regulations. Thus, the IGAs nomination committee has decided to officially revoke both the Debut Game and Game of the Year awards.”

    With Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 now disqualified, the awards will be reassigned to the runners-up, with Sorry We’re Closed receiving the Debut Game award and Blue Prince taking home the Gamer of the Year honor.

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  • Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Developers Claim Robbery at Game Awards

    Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Developers Claim Robbery at Game Awards

    Key Takeaways

    1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won the Game of the Year (GOTY) award at The Game Awards 2025.
    2. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 was a strong contender but did not win, leading to disappointment from its developers.
    3. Mixed reactions followed the announcement, with some supporting the GOTY choice while others expressed dissatisfaction.
    4. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s developers shared a controversial post that some viewed as unprofessional.
    5. Despite the controversy, teams from both games were seen celebrating together, suggesting a lighter intention behind the reactions.

    The Game Awards 2025 happened yesterday, and one of the big announcements was that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won the Game of the Year (GOTY) award. Alongside this, they also introduced new free content for everyone. While this achievement made many happy, the developers of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 were not pleased. They felt that they had been unfairly treated during the event.

    A Worthy Contender

    It’s important to recognize that Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a solid game and was a strong contender for the GOTY award. It features an engaging storyline, unique gameplay that pulls players into a realistic medieval setting, and stunning graphics. Yet, despite these many strengths, it couldn’t quite match up to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

    Mixed Reactions

    Some may find this outcome understandable, but others disagree. Tobias Stolz-Zwilling, the communications director, expressed his disappointment on X, claiming they were robbed and even posted a photo of the trophy from the event. Following this, the official Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 account shared a well-known image of a burning dog with the caption saying everything is fine.

    Controversy Online

    This image could be seen as a light-hearted jab from the developers, but not everyone took it well. Some users reacted negatively to the posts, like @reddrakonmo, who criticized the behavior, stating:

    “This is unprofessional, immature, and incredibly disrespectful to your peers in the gaming industry who rightfully worked hard for their awards and success. Maybe if you even remotely tried being a ‘team player’ in the industry, the ‘team’ would recognize you more often.”

    Despite the controversy, other tweets show the teams from both studios celebrating together, highlighting Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s victory. This suggests that the situation could have been intended as a joke after all.

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  • Game Awards 2025 Highlights: Key Moments at a Glance

    Game Awards 2025 Highlights: Key Moments at a Glance

    Key Takeaways

    1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won nine awards, surpassing The Last of Us Part II at The Game Awards 2025.
    2. Larian Studios announced a new ambitious RPG set in the Divinity universe, not a sequel to Original Sin.
    3. Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic was revealed as a narrative-driven RPG, alongside the racing game Star Wars: Galactic Racer.
    4. Blizzard announced the Lord of Hatred expansion for Diablo IV, featuring the return of the Paladin class.
    5. Lara Croft is returning in two new games, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis and Tomb Raider: Catalyst, both aiming to reshape the franchise.

    The Game Awards 2025 was full of surprises, with the standout moment being the remarkable achievement of the French indie RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. This game made history by winning nine awards, even outpacing The Last of Us Part II. Additionally, there was a plethora of new game announcements during the livestream, which lasted 3 hours and 35 minutes. A total of 22 new titles were introduced, and we’ve highlighted five notable games that are sure to spark conversations among players. You can find a complete list of all announcements at the end.

    Major Return of Larian Studios

    Larian Studios made a unexpected comeback by announcing a new title set in the Divinity universe. The studio describes this as one of their most ambitious projects yet, claiming it even exceeds Baldur’s Gate 3. While it has been confirmed as a classic RPG, Larian has confirmed that it is not a direct sequel to Original Sin, making it clear this is not Original Sin 3. The trailer’s ending finally unveiled the long-speculated statue in the desert that had left fans puzzled for a long time.

    New Adventures in Star Wars

    Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic was introduced as a narrative-driven single-player action RPG, acting as a spiritual successor to the cherished Knights of the Old Republic series. Developed by Arcanaut Studios under Casey Hudson, who is well known for his work on Mass Effect and KOTOR, this announcement was exciting. In a unexpected reveal, Star Wars: Galactic Racer was also announced, a racing game set in the Star Wars universe, surprising fans with its genre shift.

    Diablo IV Expansion Announcement

    Blizzard took to the stage to reveal the second major expansion for Diablo IV, titled Lord of Hatred, which is set to launch on April 28, 2026. This expansion centers around Diablo’s brother as the main villain and aims to progress the story while bringing back classic elements from the franchise. A significant highlight for long-time fans is the return of the Paladin as a playable class, which will be instantly available for those who pre-order the expansion.

    Lara Croft’s Dual Comeback

    Lara Croft is making a double return with two newly announced games: Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis and Tomb Raider: Catalyst. While each title has a unique focus, they signify a fresh beginning for the franchise and aim to reshape the future of this iconic series.

    Legacy of Atlantis reimagines the original Tomb Raider, focusing on classic exploration, puzzle-solving, and tomb raiding, all enhanced with modern technology. Conversely, Catalyst is geared towards a tightly woven, narrative-driven campaign with interconnected areas and a cinematic feel. Both games are being developed by Crystal Dynamics and published by Amazon Games.

    Total War Meets Warhammer 40,000

    Creative Assembly is taking a bold step by fully integrating the Total War formula into the Warhammer 40,000 universe for the first time. Moving away from fantasy battles, this new game emphasizes futuristic warfare, concentrating on Space Marines, Orks, and the Astra Militarum, with early glimpses suggesting the inclusion of the Eldar as well.

    In addition to these major titles, a diverse array of other projects were unveiled, showcasing the event’s remarkable range and depth.

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  • Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Launches Free Content After Game Awards Win

    Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Launches Free Content After Game Awards Win

    Key Takeaways

    1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won nine nominations and the GOTY award at The Game Awards 2025.
    2. Sandfall Interactive plans to release free content, including new weapons, a quest, and a boss, as a thank you to players.
    3. Guillaume Broche announced the availability of this new content during his acceptance speech.
    4. Earlier hints on social media teased exciting new features and enhancements for the game.
    5. Broche expressed deep gratitude to players for their support, stating their involvement has transformed the studio’s life.

    At The Game Awards 2025, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 made a splash by winning nine nominations and taking home the coveted GOTY award. This is a significant milestone for the small group at Sandfall Interactive, who can take pride in their hard work. There’s more good news, as this JRPG is set to introduce new free content for all players as a way to show appreciation to its fans.

    Exciting Announcement

    During his acceptance speech, Guillaume Broche touched on this topic, recalling an announcement from several months back:

    “If you recall, we hinted at some upcoming content a few months ago. I’m thrilled to say that it’s available now, and you can just head home and enjoy it. It’s free. There are new weapons, a new quest, and a new boss. Just some really cool stuff.”

    Summer Teasers

    Indeed, earlier this summer, a hint was dropped on X about exciting new features coming soon. In that tweet, the developers indicated that enhancements would be released, including fresh content and other additions to the maps. While the details remain somewhat unclear, players of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 can start enjoying this new material beginning tonight.

    Gratitude to Players

    Additionally, even though the game took home numerous awards at The Game Awards 2025, Guillaume Broche expressed his gratitude to the players, emphasizing that none of this success would have been possible without them:

    “Your endless debates about which ending is the best, that’s such a joy to read. You’ve transformed our lives, you’ve transformed the studio’s life, it’s truly amazing, thank you.”

    GamesRadar

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  • Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Becomes Most Nominated Game Ever

    Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Becomes Most Nominated Game Ever

    Key Takeaways

    1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 received twelve nominations at The Game Awards 2025, making it the most-nominated game in the show’s history.
    2. The game launched in April 2025 and has a 100% player approval rating and a 97% critic score on Opencritic.
    3. It is nominated for Game of the Year, competing against titles like Death Stranding 2 and Hollow Knight: Silksong.
    4. Expedition 33 has received nominations for Best Game Direction, Best Art Direction, Best Score and Music, Best Audio Design, Best Independent Game, Best Debut Indie Game, and Best Narrative.
    5. The opening ceremony for The Game Awards 2025 will take place on December 11 at 7:30 PM EST in Los Angeles.

    It’s been an exciting time for the indie game company Sandfall Interactive, as their title, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, has received twelve nominations at The Game Awards 2025. This makes it the most-nominated game in the award show’s twelve-year run.

    Universal Acclaim

    Launched in April 2025, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 quickly gained widespread praise. The game holds a 100% player approval rating and a 97% score from critics, based on 196 reviews on Opencritic.

    Now, it’s recognized as a Metacritic Must-Play, boasting a Metascore of 92 from 84 critic reviews and an impressive 9.6/10 rating from nearly 22,000 player reviews.

    Leading the Pack

    Currently, Expedition 33 is a top contender at The Game Awards, earning nominations across a variety of categories. It’s up for Game of the Year alongside Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, along with popular indie titles from 2025 like Hollow Knight: Silksong and Hades 2, Nintendo Switch 2’s Donkey Kong: Bonanza, and Warhorse Studios’ Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, which focuses heavily on simulation.

    In addition, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is eyeing awards in categories such as Best Game Direction, Best Art Direction, Best Score and Music, Best Audio Design, Best Independent Game, Best Debut Indie Game, and Best Narrative.

    Standout Performances

    The game has also earned three nominations for Best Performances, thanks to standout acting by Ben Starr as Verso, Charlie Cox as Gustave, and Jennifer English as Maelle.

    When the nominations were announced, the developers at Sandfall Interactive expressed their joy on X, saying:

    “What an honor to be nominated, not just for 2025 GAME OF THE YEAR, but also TWELVE??!! TOTAL NOMINATIONS. There are so many wonderful games this year, and being nominated alongside them makes us SO SO very happy… THANK YOU!!”

    The year has been a rollercoaster for Sandfall Interactive, as they have revitalized the JRPG genre with Expedition 33. However, the competition is fierce; Ghost of Yotei and Death Stranding 2 are each vying for seven nominations, followed by Hades 2 with six, Hollow Knight: Silksong with five, and Split Fiction with four.

    The opening ceremony for The Game Awards 2025 is set to take place on December 11 at 7:30 PM EST at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. This year has been significant for gaming, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leading the way.

     

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  • Game Awards Website Faces Crashes and Errors Post-Cloudflare Fix

    Game Awards Website Faces Crashes and Errors Post-Cloudflare Fix

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Game Awards 2025 website is experiencing slow loading times and crashes, frustrating users.
    2. Gamers are unhappy with the complicated voting process, which requires logging in and linking accounts.
    3. Each of the 29 voting categories appears one by one, making it difficult for users to complete their votes.
    4. Website issues may stem from server limitations due to increased traffic from the event’s popularity.
    5. The organizers have time to address these problems before the awards ceremony on December 11th, 2025.

    It seems that the website for The Game Awards 2025 isn’t exactly winning any awards for how easy it is to use. After the nominees were announced, there were many reports about pages loading very slowly and, in some cases, browsers and computers crashing. A big outage from Cloudflare made the voting process even slower, and even now, it’s often a bit of a struggle.

    Frustrated Gamers Speak Out

    Gamers on Reddit are expressing their frustration and eagerness to support their favorite nominees. The service outage that affected many platforms on November 18th can be partly blamed for the issues, but fans mostly point the finger at the website’s poor design for the troubles they’re facing.

    Complicated Voting Process

    Before they can vote for Game of the Year 2025 or other categories, gamers must log in. This process requires them to link a Google account or a social media profile; if they don’t, they can’t vote at all. Moreover, rather than seeing all the categories at once, each of the 29 categories appears one by one. When voters hit the same errors repeatedly, it can be really tempting to just give up before finishing.

    Possible Reasons for Issues

    One possible reason for the problems might be that the website is limiting how many visitors it can handle at once. If a server gets overwhelmed with traffic, it might prevent users from loading the pages they want. The Game Awards has become a bigger event over time, especially with new game reveals. During the broadcast in 2024, viewership reached an impressive 154 million global livestreams. Even though fan voting only counts for 10% of the overall vote, there’s a lot of excitement surrounding it.

    The Game Awards 2025 won’t happen until December 11th, which gives the organizers a chance to fix these issues. Once gamers can finally cast their votes, fans of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will see that this RPG has a record number of nominations—12 in total. As always, the top honor is for Game of the Year, and Expedition 33 will compete against Death Stranding 2, Donkey Kong Bananza, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II.

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