Clair Obscur Triumphs at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards
The forty-third yearly Golden Joystick Awards unfolded this past week, and with a remarkable performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the biggest winner. The breakout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive won the esteemed Game of the Year award, along with honors for Superb Storytelling and Top Visual Design.
Enhancing the developer's achievements, its talented actors also received individual awards. Jennifer English received Outstanding Lead Performance for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Best Supporting Actor for his work as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive the studio was named Top Studio. In total, Clair Obscur and its developers achieved seven awards throughout the ceremony.
Other notable winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Top Sound Design and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and Premier PC Title. Notably, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the audience, with only four awards—Critics Choice, Rising Star, Hall of Fame, and Streamers’ Choice—determined by critics.
Here is the complete list of winners from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Best Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Top Score – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game 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
- Rising Star Award – Schedule I
- Top Gaming Gear – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Top Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Actor – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Performer – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame Inductee – The Sims
- Best PC Game – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Console Game – 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 who missed the full show, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 can be watched via video below.
