Clair Obscur Sweeps at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards
The forty-third annual Golden Joystick Awards were hosted recently, and in a stunning performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the top winner. The surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive won the esteemed Game of the Year award, along with prizes for Superb Storytelling and Excellence in Visuals.
Adding to the studio's achievements, its talented performers also were honored with individual awards. Jennifer English was named Best Lead Performer for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Supporting Performance Award for his acting as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive itself received Studio of the Year. Overall, Clair Obscur and its developers collected 7 awards throughout the show.
Other major winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which won Top Sound Design and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Outstanding Independent Game and Best PC Game. It is important to note, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the gamers, with only 4 categories—Critics' Pick, Breakthrough, Hall of Fame, and Streamers' Favorite—decided by experts.
Following is the entire list of winners from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Self-Published Indie – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Studio of the Year – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Top Score – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Mobile Game Still Played – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough – Schedule I
- Best Gaming Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Supporting Performance Award – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lead Performance Award – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame Inductee – The Sims
- Best PC Game – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Anticipated – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those missed out on the full ceremony, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards can be watched through streaming following this article.
