Actor Rich Keeble, known for his roles in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, revealed at the Game On Expo 2026 that he felt intense anxiety regarding the game’s critical reception due to his traumatic experience with the critically panned The Lord of the Rings: Gollum.
From Gollum’s Zeroes to Expedition 33’s Success
Keeble, who provides the voice for the mystic creature Monoco and the turtle boss François in the French JRPG, admitted he was bracing for the worst ahead of the 2025 release. Having previously voiced the Mouth of Sauron in Daedalic Entertainment’s The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, he was all too familiar with the harsh reality of negative review cycles. That title became infamous for its poor reception, currently holding a dismal 33 Metascore and a 1.5 user score.
“I’ve been trolled online for various commercials I’ve done in the UK and a game called Lord of the Rings: Gollum,” Keeble explained during the panel. He noted the stark contrast between seeing “ones and twos” or even “the occasional zero” for Gollum compared to the high praise Expedition 33 received upon launch.
Managing Expectations Before the Launch
Keeble wasn’t alone in his uncertainty. Ahead of the game’s release, he reached out to co-star Ben Starr—the voice of the warrior Verso—for moral support. Despite the significant buzz surrounding Sandfall Interactive’s trailers, the actors were cautious about setting their sights too high.
“Ben was very graciously saying, ‘I think it’ll be good, but I just want to manage your expectations. I think it might be Metacritic 80-something,'” Keeble recalled. Neither actor could have predicted that the title would skyrocket to become one of the highest-rated games of the year.
A “Must-Play” Triumph
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 defied even the most optimistic predictions, securing a 92 Metascore. This placement puts it in the elite company of legendary titles like Minecraft (93) and Guitar Hero (91). Despite the overwhelming success, Keeble admits the transition from being associated with a notorious flop to a critical darling has been a whirlwind.
“I’m still nervous about it,” Keeble admitted. “Receiving an avalanche of attention over a good thing, instead of Gollum, is still overwhelming. It’s going crazy.”
The game continues to thrive, recently receiving a surprise first-anniversary update that added new character customizations, including braids for Monoco, ensuring the expedition remains a standout experience for players.
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