Clair Obscur Triumphs at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards were hosted on Thursday, and in a stunning performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the most decorated winner. The standout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive won the esteemed Game of the Year award, along with accolades for Outstanding Narrative and Excellence in Visuals.
Complementing the studio's achievements, its talented performers also garnered personal awards. Jennifer English won Best Lead Performer for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Best Supporting Actor for his acting as Verso. Furthermore, Sandfall Interactive itself was named Top Studio. In total, Clair Obscur and its creative team collected 7 awards during the event.
Other standout winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which received Top Sound Design and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and PC Game of the Year. It is important to note, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the audience, with only four awards—Critics Choice, Breakthrough, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamers’ Choice—determined by reviewers.
Below is the complete list of winners from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Best Visuals – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Self-Published Indie – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Studio of the Year – 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
- Still Playing (Console/PC) – Minecraft
- Streamers’ Choice – Peak
- Best Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough Award – Schedule I
- Top Gaming Gear – 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
- Best PC Game – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics' Choice – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Anticipated – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the actual show, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards can be viewed through streaming here.
