Clair Obscur Triumphs at the 2025's Golden Joystick Ceremony
The forty-third yearly Golden Joystick Awards unfolded on Thursday, and with a remarkable display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the most decorated winner. This surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive secured the coveted Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with accolades for Best Storytelling and Top Visual Design.
Complementing the studio's success, the skilled performers also received personal awards. Jennifer English won Top Lead Actor for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Best Supporting Actor for his role as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive itself was honored as Best Development Team. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its creative team won 7 awards throughout the show.
Additional standout winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Top Sound Design and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Outstanding Independent Game and Premier PC Title. Worth mentioning, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the audience, with only four special—Critics Choice, Breakthrough Award, Hall of Fame, and Streamer Selection—decided by reviewers.
Below is the full list of honorees from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Top Multiplayer Title – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Independent Game – Blue Prince
- Studio of the Year – 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
- Still Playing - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
- Streamers’ Choice – Peak
- Best Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – Schedule I
- Best Gaming Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best 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
- PC Game of the Year – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Game – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the live event, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards is available to watch via video following this article.
