Clair Obscur Dominates at the 2025 Golden Joystick Ceremony
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards unfolded on Thursday, and with a remarkable show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the most decorated winner. The standout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive earned the prestigious Top Game award, along with honors for Superb Storytelling and Best Visual Design.
Adding to the developer's success, the skilled cast also were honored with personal awards. Jennifer English received Best Lead Performer for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Supporting Performance Award for his role as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive itself was named Studio of the Year. In total, Clair Obscur and its creative team achieved seven awards throughout the ceremony.
Other standout winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Best Audio Design and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Top Self-Published Indie and Premier PC Title. Worth mentioning, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the gamers, with only four categories—Critics Choice, Breakthrough, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamer Selection—judged by experts.
Following is the full list of winners from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Top Story – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Audio – Ghost of Yōtei
- Top Multiplayer Title – Peak
- Best Visuals – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Top Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Top Early Access Title – REPO
- Best Soundtrack – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing - Mobile – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing (Console/PC) – 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
- Top 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
- PC Game of the Year – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics’ Choice Award – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you missed out on the live ceremony, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 can be viewed online following this article.