Clair Obscur Dominates at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards
The 43rd yearly Golden Joystick Awards unfolded on Thursday, and in a stunning show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the most decorated winner. This breakout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive earned the esteemed Top Game award, along with prizes for Outstanding Narrative and Excellence in Visuals.
Adding to the developer's triumph, the skilled performers also garnered individual awards. Jennifer English received Best Lead Performer for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Supporting Performance Award for his acting as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive the studio was named Top Studio. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its makers achieved 7 awards throughout the show.
Other standout winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which won Outstanding Audio and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Outstanding Independent Game and Premier PC Title. Notably, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the audience, with only 4 categories—Critics’ Choice, Breakthrough Award, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamer Selection—judged by reviewers.
Here is the entire list of honorees from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Top Story – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Top Multiplayer Title – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access Game – REPO
- Top Score – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing - Mobile – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Best Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – Schedule I
- Best Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Performer – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lead Performance Award – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame – The Sims
- Best PC Game – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics’ Choice Award – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Anticipated – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those missed out on the actual ceremony, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 can be watched via video following this article.
