Clair Obscur Triumphs at the 2025's Golden Joystick Awards
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards unfolded this past week, and in a stunning performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the biggest winner. This surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive earned the coveted Top Game award, along with prizes for Best Storytelling and Best Visual Design.
Adding to the developer's achievements, its talented performers also were honored with personal awards. Jennifer English won Top Lead Actor for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Best Supporting Performer for his work as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive the studio was named Best Development Team. Overall, Clair Obscur and its developers collected seven awards throughout the ceremony.
Additional standout winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which received Best Audio Design and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and Best PC Game. Notably, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the gamers, with only four awards—Critics Choice, Breakthrough Award, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamer Selection—decided by experts.
Here is the complete list of winners from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Top Multiplayer Title – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Self-Published Indie – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Studio of the Year – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Top Score – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Best Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough – Schedule I
- Best Gaming Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Actor – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Actor – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lifetime Achievement – The Sims
- Top PC Title – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics' Choice – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Game – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you missed out on the actual event, the awards ceremony can be viewed via video here.
