Clair Obscur Sweeps at the 2025's Golden Joystick Ceremony
The 43rd yearly Golden Joystick Awards took place this past week, and in a stunning display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the biggest winner. This standout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive won the prestigious Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with prizes for Outstanding Narrative and Best Visual Design.
Enhancing the studio's triumph, its skilled cast also garnered personal awards. Jennifer English was named Best Lead Performer for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Best Supporting Actor for his acting as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive itself was honored as Studio of the Year. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its developers collected 7 awards throughout the show.
Additional major winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which won Best Audio Design and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Outstanding Independent Game and Premier PC Title. Notably, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the public, with only four categories—Critics' Pick, Breakthrough, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamers’ Choice—judged by reviewers.
Below is the entire list of winners from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Top Story – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Top Early Access Title – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Mobile Game Still Played – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
- Streamers' Pick – Peak
- Best Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough – Schedule I
- Best Gaming Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Top Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Supporting Performance Award – 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
- Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics' Choice – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Game – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the live event, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards can be viewed via video here.
