Clair Obscur Dominates at the 2025 Golden Joystick Ceremony
The 43rd yearly Golden Joystick Awards were hosted recently, and with a remarkable display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the top winner. The surprise role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive earned the esteemed Game of the Year award, along with prizes for Outstanding Narrative and Best Visual Design.
Complementing the developer's achievements, its talented performers also were honored with individual awards. Jennifer English received Best Lead Performer for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Best Supporting Performer for his role as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive the studio was honored as Top Studio. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its developers won 7 awards during the show.
Additional standout winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Best Audio Design and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Outstanding Independent Game and Best PC Game. Worth mentioning, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the audience, with only 4 awards—Critics' Pick, Breakthrough, Hall of Fame, and Streamer Selection—judged by reviewers.
Below is the full list of honorees from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Best Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Self-Published Indie – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Top Early Access Title – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Console/PC Game Still Played – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough – Schedule I
- Best Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Performer – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Actor – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame – The Sims
- Best PC Game – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics’ Choice Award – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the actual ceremony, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 can be viewed online here.
