Clair Obscur Sweeps at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards
The 43rd yearly Golden Joystick Awards unfolded recently, and through an impressive display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the biggest winner. The surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive won the prestigious Game of the Year award, along with accolades for Outstanding Narrative and Best Visual Design.
Complementing the studio's achievements, its talented performers also received individual awards. Jennifer English received Outstanding Lead Performance for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Supporting Performance Award for his work as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive itself received Top Studio. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its developers won seven awards throughout the ceremony.
Additional standout winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which won Outstanding Audio and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Outstanding Independent Game and PC Game of the Year. Notably, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the audience, with only 4 special—Critics' Pick, Breakthrough Award, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamers' Favorite—judged by critics.
Below is the full list of award recipients from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Top Story – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Top Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Top Score – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Mobile Game Still Played – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing (Console/PC) – Minecraft
- Streamers' Pick – Peak
- Best Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – Schedule I
- Top Gaming Gear – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Top Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Performer – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lead Performance Award – 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 – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those missed out on the full event, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 can be watched online below.