Clair Obscur Dominates at the 2025's Golden Joystick Ceremony
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards were hosted recently, and through an impressive performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the top winner. The standout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive earned the prestigious Top Game award, along with accolades for Outstanding Narrative and Top Visual Design.
Complementing the studio's achievements, its gifted actors also were honored with personal awards. Jennifer English was named Outstanding Lead Performance for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Best Supporting Actor for his role as Verso. Furthermore, Sandfall Interactive itself was named Studio of the Year. Overall, Clair Obscur and its creative team won 7 awards during the ceremony.
Other major winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which received Outstanding Audio and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Top Self-Published Indie and Best PC Game. Notably, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the audience, with only 4 special—Critics’ Choice, Breakthrough, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamer Selection—decided by critics.
Here is the complete list of award recipients from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Best Storytelling – 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 Self-Published Indie – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Independent Game – Blue Prince
- Top Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Mobile Game Still Played – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing (Console/PC) – Minecraft
- Streamers’ Choice – Peak
- Best Remake / 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 Performer – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Actor – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame Inductee – The Sims
- Top PC Title – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics' Choice – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you who missed the full show, the awards ceremony is available to watch through streaming here.
