Clair Obscur Sweeps at the 2025's Golden Joystick Ceremony
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards took place recently, and through an impressive performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the biggest winner. This breakout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive earned the prestigious Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with prizes for Outstanding Narrative and Best Visual Design.
Enhancing the developer's success, the talented cast also were honored with personal awards. Jennifer English received Outstanding Lead Performance for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Best Supporting Actor for his work as Verso. Furthermore, Sandfall Interactive itself was honored as Best Development Team. Overall, Clair Obscur and its makers achieved 7 awards throughout the show.
Other major winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Top Sound Design and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Outstanding Independent Game and Premier PC Title. Worth mentioning, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the gamers, with only four categories—Critics' Pick, Rising Star, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamers’ Choice—determined by experts.
Here is the entire list of honorees from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Audio – Ghost of Yōtei
- Top Multiplayer Title – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Studio of the Year – Sandfall Interactive
- Top Early Access Title – REPO
- Top Score – 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 Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough – Schedule I
- Best Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Performer – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lead Performance Award – 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' Choice – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Anticipated – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you missed out on the full ceremony, the awards ceremony is available to watch through streaming following this article.