Clair Obscur Dominates at the 2025's Gaming Honors
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards took place on Thursday, and with a remarkable display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the most decorated winner. The breakout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive earned the coveted Top Game award, along with prizes for Superb Storytelling and Best Visual Design.
Complementing the studio's triumph, the gifted cast also were honored with individual awards. Jennifer English won Top Lead Actor for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Best Supporting Actor for his acting as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive the studio received Top Studio. In total, Clair Obscur and its developers achieved seven awards throughout the ceremony.
Other major winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Outstanding Audio and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Top Self-Published Indie and PC Game of the Year. Notably, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the audience, with only 4 special—Critics' Pick, Breakthrough, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamers’ Choice—judged by reviewers.
Following is the entire list of award recipients from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Top Multiplayer Title – Peak
- Best 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
- 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 - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Top Remake – 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 Actor – 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 Wanted Game – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you missed out on the live ceremony, the awards ceremony can be viewed through streaming below.