Clair Obscur Sweeps at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards
The forty-third annual Golden Joystick Awards took place this past week, and through an impressive display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the top winner. This breakout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive earned the prestigious Top Game award, along with accolades for Superb Storytelling and Top Visual Design.
Adding to the studio's success, its gifted cast also were honored with individual awards. Jennifer English was named Best Lead Performer for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Supporting Performance Award for his work as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive the studio was honored as Studio of the Year. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its creative team collected 7 awards during the event.
Additional standout winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Outstanding Audio and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Outstanding Independent Game and Best PC Game. It is important to note, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the audience, with only four awards—Critics’ Choice, Breakthrough Award, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamers' Favorite—decided by critics.
Following is the entire list of honorees from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Audio – Ghost of Yōtei
- Top Multiplayer Title – Peak
- Best Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Best Soundtrack – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Mobile Game Still Played – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing (Console/PC) – Minecraft
- Streamers' Pick – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – Schedule I
- Best Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Supporting Performance Award – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Actor – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lifetime Achievement – The Sims
- PC Game of the Year – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics' Choice – 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 full event, the awards ceremony can be viewed via video here.