Clair Obscur Dominates 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 emerged as the top winner. This breakout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive secured the coveted Top Game award, along with prizes for Superb Storytelling and Excellence in Visuals.
Adding to the studio's achievements, the talented performers also were honored with individual awards. Jennifer English won Best Lead Performer for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Supporting Performance Award for his acting as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive itself was named Best Development Team. Overall, Clair Obscur and its creative team achieved 7 awards during the event.
Additional notable winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Top Sound Design and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Top Self-Published Indie and Best PC Game. Worth mentioning, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the audience, with only 4 special—Critics' Pick, Rising Star, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamers’ Choice—determined by critics.
Below is the full list of honorees from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Audio – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Studio of the Year – Sandfall Interactive
- Top Early Access Title – 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
- Streamer Favorite – 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
- Best Supporting Performer – 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
- Top Console Game – 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 show, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 is available to watch through streaming following this article.
