Clair Obscur Triumphs at the 2025 Golden Joystick Ceremony
The forty-third yearly Golden Joystick Awards were hosted on Thursday, and in a stunning display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the top winner. This surprise role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive secured the coveted Game of the Year award, along with prizes for Superb Storytelling and Excellence in Visuals.
Enhancing the developer's success, the skilled cast also received individual awards. Jennifer English received Best Lead Performer for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Best Supporting Performer for his work as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive itself received Top Studio. Overall, Clair Obscur and its creative team achieved 7 awards during the event.
Additional major winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which won Outstanding Audio and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Top Self-Published Indie and Premier PC Title. Worth mentioning, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the gamers, with only 4 categories—Critics’ Choice, Breakthrough, Hall of Fame, and Streamers' Favorite—determined by critics.
Below is the full list of winners from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Top Story – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Top Multiplayer Title – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Self-Published Indie – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Best Soundtrack – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Mobile Game Still Played – Pokémon Go
- Console/PC Game Still Played – Minecraft
- Streamers' Pick – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – Schedule I
- Top Gaming Gear – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Supporting Performance Award – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Performer – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame – The Sims
- PC Game of the Year – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Anticipated – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those missed out on the full event, the awards ceremony can be viewed online here.
