Clair Obscur Triumphs at the 2025's Golden Joystick Awards
The forty-third annual Golden Joystick Awards unfolded recently, and with a remarkable show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the top winner. The standout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive secured the prestigious Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with accolades for Superb Storytelling and Top Visual Design.
Adding to the developer's triumph, the skilled cast also garnered personal awards. Jennifer English won Best Lead Performer for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Supporting Performance Award for his acting as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive itself was honored as Studio of the Year. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its makers achieved 7 awards during the ceremony.
Additional notable winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which received Best Audio Design and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and Premier PC Title. It is important to note, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the audience, with only four categories—Critics’ Choice, Rising Star, Hall of Fame, and Streamer Selection—judged by experts.
Here is the full list of award recipients from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Best Visuals – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Independent Game – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Best Soundtrack – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Mobile Game Still Played – Pokémon Go
- Console/PC Game Still Played – Minecraft
- Streamers’ Choice – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough – Schedule I
- Best Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Supporting Performance Award – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Performer – 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 Anticipated – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the live show, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards can be viewed through streaming following this article.