Clair Obscur Sweeps at the 2025's Golden Joystick Ceremony
The 43rd yearly Golden Joystick Awards took place recently, and in a stunning display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the top winner. This surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive secured the esteemed Top Game award, along with prizes for Best Storytelling and Best Visual Design.
Complementing the studio's success, the talented actors also were honored with individual awards. Jennifer English received Best Lead Performer for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Best Supporting Actor for his acting as Verso. Furthermore, Sandfall Interactive itself received Studio of the Year. In total, Clair Obscur and its creative team collected 7 awards during the show.
Other major winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which received Top Sound Design and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Outstanding Independent Game and PC Game of the Year. Notably, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the public, with only 4 special—Critics' Pick, Breakthrough, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamers' Favorite—determined by critics.
Here is the entire list of honorees from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Best Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Self-Published Indie – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Console/PC Game Still Played – Minecraft
- Streamers’ Choice – Peak
- Best Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – 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 Performer – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lifetime Achievement – The Sims
- PC Game of the Year – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics’ Choice Award – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Game – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the actual show, the awards ceremony is available to watch online following this article.
