Clair Obscur Triumphs at the 2025's Gaming Honors
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards took place on Thursday, and in a stunning show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the top winner. This breakout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive secured the coveted Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with prizes for Best Storytelling and Top Visual Design.
Adding to the studio's triumph, the gifted performers also garnered personal awards. Jennifer English won Best Lead Performer for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Best Supporting Performer for his acting as Verso. Furthermore, Sandfall Interactive itself received Top Studio. Overall, Clair Obscur and its makers achieved seven awards throughout the show.
Additional notable winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which received Outstanding Audio and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Outstanding Independent Game and Premier PC Title. Notably, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the gamers, with only 4 special—Critics' Pick, Breakthrough, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamer Selection—judged by critics.
Below is the complete list of honorees from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Best Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Self-Published Indie – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Top Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Top Early Access Title – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best 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
- Top Gaming Gear – 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 – The Sims
- Top PC Title – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top 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
If you missed out on the actual event, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards can be watched through streaming here.
