Clair Obscur Triumphs at the 2025's Golden Joystick Ceremony
The forty-third annual Golden Joystick Awards unfolded this past week, and with a remarkable display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the biggest winner. This breakout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive earned the esteemed Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with honors for Superb Storytelling and Excellence in Visuals.
Adding to the studio's triumph, the skilled performers also garnered individual awards. Jennifer English was named Top Lead Actor for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Best Supporting Performer for his work as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive the studio was named Best Development Team. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its developers collected seven awards throughout the ceremony.
Other notable winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Top Sound Design and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and Best PC Game. Notably, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the public, with only four awards—Critics Choice, Breakthrough, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamers’ Choice—determined by critics.
Following is the complete list of winners from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Best Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Studio of the Year – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing - Mobile – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
- Streamers’ Choice – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough Award – Schedule I
- Best Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Top Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Performer – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Actor – 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’ Choice Award – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you missed out on the full ceremony, the awards ceremony can be viewed online following this article.
