Clair Obscur Dominates at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards
The 43rd yearly Golden Joystick Awards were hosted on Thursday, and with a remarkable display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the top winner. This breakout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive earned the coveted Game of the Year award, along with prizes for Superb Storytelling and Top Visual Design.
Enhancing the studio's achievements, the skilled performers also were honored with individual awards. Jennifer English received Top Lead Actor for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Best Supporting Performer for his acting as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive the studio was named Studio of the Year. In total, Clair Obscur and its creative team collected seven awards throughout the event.
Additional standout winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which received Best Audio Design and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and Best PC Game. Notably, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the audience, with only four categories—Critics’ Choice, Breakthrough Award, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamer Selection—decided by reviewers.
Here is the complete list of winners 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
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Top Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access Game – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing - Mobile – Pokémon Go
- Console/PC Game Still Played – Minecraft
- Streamers' Pick – Peak
- Best Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – Schedule I
- Best Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Top Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Performer – 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
- Console Game of the Year – 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 missed out on the live event, the awards ceremony can be watched through streaming here.
