Clair Obscur Triumphs at the 2025 Golden Joystick Ceremony
The forty-third yearly Golden Joystick Awards were hosted this past week, and through an impressive performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the biggest winner. This breakout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive earned the esteemed Game of the Year award, along with honors for Superb Storytelling and Excellence in Visuals.
Adding to the studio's success, the gifted performers also received individual awards. Jennifer English received Outstanding Lead Performance for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Best Supporting Actor for his role as Verso. Furthermore, Sandfall Interactive the studio was honored as Studio of the Year. Overall, Clair Obscur and its makers achieved 7 awards throughout the ceremony.
Additional notable winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which received Top Sound Design and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Outstanding Independent Game and PC Game of the Year. Notably, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the gamers, with only four awards—Critics’ Choice, Breakthrough Award, Hall of Fame, and Streamers' Favorite—determined by critics.
Here is the entire list of award recipients from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Top Story – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Studio of the Year – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Mobile Game Still Played – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough Award – Schedule I
- Best Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Actor – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Actor – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame – The Sims
- Top PC Title – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics’ Choice Award – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Anticipated – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you missed out on the full ceremony, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards can be watched via video following this article.
