Clair Obscur Dominates at the 2025 Golden Joystick Ceremony
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards took place this past week, and with a remarkable show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the most decorated winner. The breakout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive earned the coveted Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with accolades for Best Storytelling and Excellence in Visuals.
Complementing the studio's achievements, the gifted actors also received individual awards. Jennifer English received Best Lead Performer for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Best Supporting Performer for his role as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive itself received Top Studio. In total, Clair Obscur and its makers won 7 awards during the show.
Additional standout winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which won Outstanding Audio and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and Best PC Game. It is important to note, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the gamers, with only four special—Critics Choice, Breakthrough Award, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamers' Favorite—judged by experts.
Below is the entire list of honorees from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Best Visuals – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Top Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Top Early Access Title – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing - Mobile – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing (Console/PC) – Minecraft
- Streamers’ Choice – Peak
- Best Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough Award – Schedule I
- Top Gaming Gear – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Top 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 Inductee – The Sims
- PC Game of the Year – 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 who missed the live show, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards can be viewed through streaming here.
