Clair Obscur Triumphs at the 2025 Golden Joystick Ceremony
The forty-third yearly Golden Joystick Awards were hosted on Thursday, and with a remarkable performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the most decorated winner. This surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive earned the coveted Game of the Year award, along with honors for Outstanding Narrative and Top Visual Design.
Enhancing the studio's success, its gifted actors also received individual awards. Jennifer English received Outstanding Lead Performance for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Best Supporting Actor for his role as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive the studio was named Best Development Team. Overall, Clair Obscur and its makers collected seven awards throughout the show.
Other standout winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Outstanding Audio and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Top Self-Published Indie and Best PC Game. Worth mentioning, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the audience, with only four special—Critics' Pick, Breakthrough, Hall of Fame, and Streamer Selection—judged by critics.
Here is the full list of winners from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Audio – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Best Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Self-Published Indie – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Studio of the Year – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Top Score – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game 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
- Breakthrough Award – 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 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 Award – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the actual ceremony, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 can be viewed online following this article.
