Clair Obscur Triumphs at the 2025's Golden Joystick Ceremony
The forty-third yearly Golden Joystick Awards unfolded recently, and with a remarkable performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the biggest winner. The standout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive won the esteemed Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with accolades for Superb Storytelling and Top Visual Design.
Adding to the studio's achievements, its talented actors also garnered individual awards. Jennifer English was named Best Lead Performer for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Best Supporting Performer for his role as Verso. Furthermore, Sandfall Interactive the studio was honored as Top Studio. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its developers won seven awards during the event.
Additional major winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Best Audio Design and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Outstanding Independent Game and Best PC Game. Worth mentioning, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the gamers, with only 4 categories—Critics Choice, Breakthrough, Hall of Fame, and Streamer Selection—decided by reviewers.
Following is the complete list of award recipients from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Audio – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Top Studio – 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 Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough Award – Schedule I
- Best Gaming Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best 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 Inductee – The Sims
- Top PC Title – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Game – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you missed out on the live show, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards is available to watch via video here.
