Clair Obscur Sweeps at the 2025's Golden Joystick Awards
The 43rd yearly Golden Joystick Awards were hosted this past week, and in a stunning display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the top winner. The breakout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive earned the prestigious Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with honors for Best Storytelling and Excellence in Visuals.
Complementing the studio's triumph, its talented cast also were honored with personal awards. Jennifer English was named Top Lead Actor for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Best Supporting Performer for his role as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive itself was honored as Best Development Team. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its developers achieved 7 awards during the ceremony.
Additional notable winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which won Outstanding Audio and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Top Self-Published Indie and PC Game of the Year. It is important to note, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the gamers, with only four awards—Critics' Pick, Breakthrough, Hall of Fame, and Streamers’ Choice—judged by reviewers.
Below is the entire list of honorees from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Audio – Ghost of Yōtei
- Top Multiplayer Title – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Top Early Access Title – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Mobile Game Still Played – Pokémon Go
- Console/PC Game Still Played – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – Schedule I
- Best Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best 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
- Top PC Title – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you missed out on the full ceremony, the awards ceremony is available to watch online here.
