Clair Obscur Dominates at the 2025's Golden Joystick Ceremony
The forty-third annual Golden Joystick Awards unfolded on Thursday, and through an impressive show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the top winner. This surprise role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive earned the esteemed Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with accolades for Best Storytelling and Excellence in Visuals.
Enhancing the developer's triumph, its skilled performers also received personal awards. Jennifer English was named Outstanding Lead Performance for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Best Supporting Performer for his acting as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive itself received Studio of the Year. In total, Clair Obscur and its creative team achieved seven awards throughout the ceremony.
Additional major winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which won Outstanding Audio and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and Premier PC Title. Notably, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the public, with only four categories—Critics' Pick, Rising Star, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamers’ Choice—decided by reviewers.
Below is the entire list of award recipients from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Top Story – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Top Multiplayer Title – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Top Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Top Score – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
- Streamers' Pick – Peak
- Best Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – Schedule I
- Top Gaming Gear – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best 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 Inductee – The Sims
- Top PC Title – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you who missed the live event, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards is available to watch through streaming here.
