Clair Obscur Triumphs at the 2025 Golden Joystick Ceremony
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards took place on Thursday, and with a remarkable show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the most decorated winner. The surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive won the prestigious Game of the Year award, along with accolades for Superb Storytelling and Best Visual Design.
Complementing the studio's achievements, its talented performers also garnered personal awards. Jennifer English was named Best Lead Performer for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Best Supporting Actor for his role as Verso. Furthermore, Sandfall Interactive itself was honored as Best Development Team. Overall, Clair Obscur and its developers collected 7 awards during the ceremony.
Other notable winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Outstanding Audio and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Top Self-Published Indie and Best PC Game. Worth mentioning, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the audience, with only 4 awards—Critics' Pick, Rising Star, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamers’ Choice—determined by critics.
Here is the entire list of honorees from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Audio – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Top Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access Game – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing - Mobile – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing (Console/PC) – Minecraft
- Streamers’ Choice – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – Schedule I
- Best Gaming Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Top Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Performer – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lead Performance Award – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame Inductee – The Sims
- Best PC Game – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics’ Choice Award – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the actual event, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards can be watched through streaming following this article.
