Clair Obscur Triumphs at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards
The 43rd yearly Golden Joystick Awards were hosted recently, and with a remarkable display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the biggest winner. The standout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive earned the coveted Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with honors for Superb Storytelling and Top Visual Design.
Complementing the studio's achievements, the talented actors also were honored with individual awards. Jennifer English was named Outstanding Lead Performance for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Best Supporting Performer for his role as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive itself received Top Studio. Overall, Clair Obscur and its makers collected 7 awards during the ceremony.
Other notable winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which won Best Audio Design and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and Premier PC Title. Notably, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the audience, with only 4 awards—Critics' Pick, Breakthrough Award, Hall of Fame, and Streamers' Favorite—decided by critics.
Following is the full list of award recipients from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Audio – 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 Soundtrack – 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 Award – Schedule I
- Best Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Top Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Actor – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lead Performance Award – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame – The Sims
- Top PC Title – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Game – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the full event, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards can be viewed via video below.