Clair Obscur Dominates at the 2025's Gaming Honors
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards unfolded on Thursday, and with a remarkable performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the top winner. The surprise role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive won the prestigious Game of the Year award, along with honors for Superb Storytelling and Excellence in Visuals.
Enhancing the studio's triumph, its gifted cast also received personal awards. Jennifer English received Outstanding Lead Performance for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Best Supporting Performer for his acting as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive the studio was honored as Studio of the Year. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its makers won 7 awards during the event.
Other notable winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which won Best Audio Design and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Outstanding Independent Game and PC Game of the Year. It is important to note, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the public, with only 4 awards—Critics’ Choice, Breakthrough, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamers' Favorite—determined by reviewers.
Here is the complete list of honorees from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Audio – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Best Visuals – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Top Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Best Soundtrack – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing (Console/PC) – Minecraft
- Streamers' Pick – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough Award – Schedule I
- Best Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best 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 – The Sims
- Top PC Title – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Anticipated – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the live ceremony, the awards ceremony can be watched online below.
