Clair Obscur Triumphs at the 2025's Golden Joystick Ceremony
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards were hosted recently, and with a remarkable show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the biggest winner. The surprise role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive won the esteemed Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with prizes for Superb Storytelling and Excellence in Visuals.
Enhancing the studio's achievements, the gifted cast also were honored with personal awards. Jennifer English won Best Lead Performer for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Best Supporting Performer for his acting as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive the studio was honored as Studio of the Year. In total, Clair Obscur and its developers achieved 7 awards throughout the event.
Additional major winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Top Sound Design and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Top Self-Published Indie and PC Game of the Year. It is important to note, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the gamers, with only four awards—Critics Choice, Breakthrough Award, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamer Selection—decided by critics.
Below is the full list of winners from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Top Multiplayer Title – Peak
- Best 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
- Top Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Top Early Access Title – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing - Mobile – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing (Console/PC) – Minecraft
- Streamers' Pick – Peak
- Best Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – Schedule I
- Best Gaming Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Actor – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Performer – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame Inductee – The Sims
- PC Game of the Year – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top 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 event, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards can be watched online here.
