Clair Obscur Dominates at the 2025's Gaming Honors
The 43rd yearly Golden Joystick Awards were hosted recently, and with a remarkable display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the most decorated winner. This standout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive won the prestigious Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with accolades for Best Storytelling and Best Visual Design.
Complementing the developer's triumph, its skilled cast also garnered individual awards. Jennifer English was named Top Lead Actor for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Best Supporting Performer for his role as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive the studio received Studio of the Year. In total, Clair Obscur and its creative team collected 7 awards throughout the show.
Additional notable winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Top Sound Design and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Outstanding Independent Game and Best PC Game. Worth mentioning, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the public, with only 4 special—Critics Choice, Rising Star, Hall of Fame, and Streamer Selection—judged by experts.
Below is the entire list of award recipients from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Best Visuals – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Best Soundtrack – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Console/PC Game Still Played – Minecraft
- Streamers’ Choice – Peak
- Best Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – Schedule I
- Best Gaming Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best 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
- Best Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics’ Choice Award – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Game – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the full event, the awards ceremony is available to watch online here.
