Clair Obscur Dominates at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards
The 43rd yearly Golden Joystick Awards were hosted recently, and through an impressive display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the biggest winner. The breakout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive secured the esteemed Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with accolades for Outstanding Narrative and Top Visual Design.
Complementing the studio's triumph, the gifted performers also garnered individual awards. Jennifer English won Top Lead Actor for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Best Supporting Performer for his acting as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive itself received Studio of the Year. Overall, Clair Obscur and its developers collected seven awards throughout the ceremony.
Other standout winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Best Audio Design and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Top Self-Published Indie and PC Game of the Year. It is important to note, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the gamers, with only 4 categories—Critics' Pick, Breakthrough, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamers' Favorite—determined by experts.
Below is the complete list of winners from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Self-Published Indie – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
- Streamers' Pick – Peak
- Best Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough Award – Schedule I
- Best Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Top Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Actor – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Actor – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lifetime Achievement – The Sims
- PC Game of the Year – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics' Choice – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Game – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those missed out on the full event, the awards ceremony can be viewed via video here.
