Clair Obscur Sweeps at the 2025's Golden Joystick Ceremony
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards took place this past week, and through an impressive show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the most decorated winner. The surprise role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive earned the coveted Game of the Year award, along with accolades for Best Storytelling and Excellence in Visuals.
Complementing the studio's triumph, its talented cast also were honored with personal awards. Jennifer English won Top Lead Actor for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Best Supporting Performer for his role as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive the studio was named Studio of the Year. In total, Clair Obscur and its makers achieved seven awards during the ceremony.
Additional standout winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which won Top Sound Design and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Top Self-Published Indie and Best PC Game. It is important to note, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the public, with only 4 awards—Critics’ Choice, Rising Star, Hall of Fame, and Streamer Selection—decided by reviewers.
Here is the entire list of award recipients from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Best Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Independent Game – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access Game – REPO
- Best Soundtrack – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
- Streamers’ Choice – Peak
- Best Remake / Remaster – 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 Actor – 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 Game – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the full show, the awards ceremony can be viewed through streaming here.
