Clair Obscur Sweeps at the 2025 Golden Joystick Ceremony
The forty-third yearly Golden Joystick Awards unfolded recently, and in a stunning display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the most decorated winner. This breakout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive won the prestigious Game of the Year award, along with accolades for Best Storytelling and Best Visual Design.
Enhancing the studio's success, its talented cast also were honored with personal awards. Jennifer English received Top Lead Actor for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Supporting Performance Award for his work as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive the studio was named Studio of the Year. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its developers won 7 awards throughout the event.
Additional major winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which received Top Sound Design and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Outstanding Independent Game and PC Game of the Year. Notably, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the gamers, with only four categories—Critics Choice, Breakthrough, Hall of Fame, and Streamer Selection—determined by reviewers.
Below is the complete list of award recipients from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Top Story – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Best Visuals – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Studio of the Year – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Top Score – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing (Console/PC) – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Top Remake – 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
- Best PC Game – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Anticipated – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the live ceremony, the awards ceremony can be viewed online following this article.
