Clair Obscur Triumphs at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards took place this past week, and through an impressive show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the most decorated winner. This standout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive won the prestigious Game of the Year award, along with honors for Outstanding Narrative and Top Visual Design.
Adding to the studio's achievements, its gifted actors also were honored with individual awards. Jennifer English received Top Lead Actor for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Supporting Performance Award for his role as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive itself was honored as Best Development Team. Overall, Clair Obscur and its creative team collected 7 awards during the event.
Other notable winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which won Best Audio Design and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and Premier PC Title. Worth mentioning, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the audience, with only four categories—Critics’ Choice, Rising Star, Hall of Fame, and Streamers’ Choice—determined by reviewers.
Here is the entire list of honorees from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Independent Game – Blue Prince
- Studio of the Year – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Mobile Game Still Played – Pokémon Go
- Console/PC Game Still Played – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Best Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough – Schedule I
- Top Gaming Gear – 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’ Choice Award – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Anticipated – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those missed out on the full show, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards can be watched via video below.
