Clair Obscur Dominates at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards were hosted on Thursday, and in a stunning show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the most decorated winner. The surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive earned the prestigious Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with honors for Best Storytelling and Top Visual Design.
Enhancing the developer's triumph, the gifted cast also garnered individual awards. Jennifer English received Best Lead Performer for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Supporting Performance Award for his work as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive the studio was named Studio of the Year. Overall, Clair Obscur and its makers collected 7 awards throughout the ceremony.
Additional major winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which won Top Sound Design and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and PC Game of the Year. Worth mentioning, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the gamers, with only 4 categories—Critics Choice, Breakthrough Award, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamers' Favorite—decided by critics.
Following is the complete list of honorees from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Best Storytelling – 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
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Studio of the Year – Sandfall Interactive
- Top Early Access Title – REPO
- Top Score – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing - Mobile – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Top Remake – 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 Performer – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Performer – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame Inductee – The Sims
- Top PC Title – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Anticipated – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those missed out on the full event, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 can be watched through streaming following this article.
