Clair Obscur Triumphs at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards took place this past week, and with a remarkable performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the top winner. The surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive earned the prestigious Game of the Year award, along with honors for Superb Storytelling and Excellence in Visuals.
Complementing the developer's triumph, the gifted actors also received individual awards. Jennifer English won Outstanding Lead Performance for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Best Supporting Performer for his acting as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive the studio was honored as Studio of the Year. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its makers won seven awards throughout the ceremony.
Additional major winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which received Top Sound Design and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Top Self-Published Indie and PC Game of the Year. Notably, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the audience, with only four awards—Critics Choice, Breakthrough, Hall of Fame, and Streamers’ Choice—decided by reviewers.
Following is the entire list of award recipients from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Independent Game – Blue Prince
- Top Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access Game – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing (Console/PC) – Minecraft
- Streamers' Pick – Peak
- Best Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough – Schedule I
- Best Gaming Hardware – 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
- Lifetime Achievement – The Sims
- Best PC Game – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics’ Choice Award – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Anticipated – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the full show, the awards ceremony can be viewed through streaming following this article.
