Clair Obscur Dominates at the 2025's Golden Joystick Awards
The 43rd yearly Golden Joystick Awards unfolded on Thursday, and through an impressive performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the biggest winner. This breakout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive earned the prestigious Top Game award, along with accolades for Superb Storytelling and Excellence in Visuals.
Enhancing the developer's achievements, the talented actors also were honored with personal awards. Jennifer English received Best Lead Performer for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Supporting Performance Award for his work as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive itself was honored as Studio of the Year. Overall, Clair Obscur and its makers achieved seven awards throughout the ceremony.
Additional standout winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Best Audio Design and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Top Self-Published Indie and Premier PC Title. Notably, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the audience, with only four awards—Critics Choice, Breakthrough Award, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamers' Favorite—determined by reviewers.
Following is the complete list of award recipients from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – 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
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access Game – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Mobile Game Still Played – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing (Console/PC) – Minecraft
- Streamers’ Choice – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough Award – Schedule I
- Best Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Performer – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Actor – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lifetime Achievement – The Sims
- PC Game of the Year – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics’ Choice Award – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you missed out on the full ceremony, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards is available to watch through streaming here.
