Clair Obscur Sweeps at the 2025's Golden Joystick Ceremony
The forty-third annual Golden Joystick Awards unfolded on Thursday, and in a stunning performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the top winner. This surprise role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive won the prestigious Game of the Year award, along with honors for Best Storytelling and Best Visual Design.
Adding to the developer's achievements, its gifted cast also received individual awards. Jennifer English was named Outstanding Lead Performance for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Best Supporting Performer for his role as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive itself was honored as Best Development Team. In total, Clair Obscur and its makers won seven awards during the event.
Additional notable winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which received Outstanding Audio and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Outstanding Independent Game and PC Game of the Year. Notably, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the gamers, with only 4 special—Critics Choice, Rising Star, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamers’ Choice—decided by experts.
Following is the entire list of honorees from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Top Multiplayer Title – Peak
- Best Visuals – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Independent Game – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Top Early Access Title – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing (Console/PC) – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star 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
- Best Lead Actor – 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' 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 full event, the awards ceremony can be watched via video below.