Clair Obscur Sweeps at the 2025's Golden Joystick Ceremony
The forty-third annual Golden Joystick Awards were hosted this past week, and through an impressive show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the most decorated winner. The surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive secured the coveted Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with accolades for Best Storytelling and Top Visual Design.
Complementing the developer's achievements, its gifted cast also garnered individual awards. Jennifer English received Outstanding Lead Performance for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Supporting Performance Award for his acting as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive the studio was named Studio of the Year. In total, Clair Obscur and its developers achieved 7 awards throughout the show.
Other major winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Best Audio Design and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Outstanding Independent Game and Best PC Game. It is important to note, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the audience, with only 4 awards—Critics' Pick, Rising Star, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamer Selection—decided by reviewers.
Below is the complete list of honorees from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Top Multiplayer Title – 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 Game – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing - Mobile – Pokémon Go
- Console/PC Game Still Played – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Best Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough – Schedule I
- Best Gaming Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best 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
- Top PC Title – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics' Choice – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the full ceremony, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards can be watched via video below.
