Clair Obscur Sweeps at the 2025's Golden Joystick Ceremony
The 43rd yearly Golden Joystick Awards unfolded this past week, and in a stunning display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the most decorated winner. This standout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive secured the prestigious Game of the Year award, along with honors for Superb Storytelling and Best Visual Design.
Adding to the developer's achievements, the talented cast also garnered personal awards. Jennifer English received Best Lead Performer for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Best Supporting Actor for his work as Verso. Furthermore, Sandfall Interactive the studio received Studio of the Year. Overall, Clair Obscur and its makers won seven awards during the event.
Other standout winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Top Sound Design and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Top Self-Published Indie and Premier PC Title. Notably, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the gamers, with only four categories—Critics’ Choice, Rising Star, Hall of Fame, and Streamers' Favorite—determined by experts.
Below is the full list of winners from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access Game – REPO
- Top Score – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing - Mobile – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – Schedule I
- Best Gaming Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Top Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Supporting Performance Award – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Actor – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame – The Sims
- Best PC Game – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics’ Choice Award – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Anticipated – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the full show, the awards ceremony can be watched online here.
