Clair Obscur Triumphs at the 2025's Gaming Honors
The 43rd yearly Golden Joystick Awards unfolded on Thursday, and with a remarkable display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the top winner. The standout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive won the coveted Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with accolades for Outstanding Narrative and Top Visual Design.
Enhancing the studio's success, the skilled cast also were honored with personal awards. Jennifer English won Best Lead Performer for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Best Supporting Performer for his role as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive the studio received Best Development Team. In total, Clair Obscur and its creative team achieved 7 awards throughout the event.
Additional major winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which won Best Audio Design and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Top Self-Published Indie and PC Game of the Year. Worth mentioning, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the gamers, with only 4 special—Critics' Pick, Breakthrough Award, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamers' Favorite—judged by critics.
Following is the full list of award recipients from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Studio of the Year – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Best Soundtrack – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Mobile Game Still Played – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
- Streamers' Pick – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough – Schedule I
- Top Gaming Gear – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Performer – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Actor – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame Inductee – The Sims
- PC Game of the Year – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics' Choice – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you who missed the live ceremony, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards can be viewed online here.
