Clair Obscur Dominates at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards took place recently, and in a stunning show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the most decorated winner. The standout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive secured the coveted Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with honors for Superb Storytelling and Excellence in Visuals.
Complementing the developer's triumph, its gifted actors also were honored with personal awards. Jennifer English was named Outstanding Lead Performance for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Best Supporting Performer for his role as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive itself received Top Studio. Overall, Clair Obscur and its makers achieved seven awards throughout the ceremony.
Other notable winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which won Outstanding Audio and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and PC Game of the Year. It is important to note, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the gamers, with only four special—Critics' Pick, Rising Star, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamers’ Choice—judged by critics.
Here is the complete list of honorees from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Top Story – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Audio – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Top Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Best Soundtrack – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing - Mobile – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing (Console/PC) – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Best Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough – Schedule I
- Best Gaming Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Top Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Supporting Performance Award – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Actor – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame – The Sims
- Best PC Game – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you missed out on the full ceremony, the awards ceremony can be watched online following this article.