Clair Obscur Triumphs at the 2025's Gaming Honors
The forty-third annual Golden Joystick Awards unfolded on Thursday, and through an impressive performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the most decorated winner. The breakout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive won the esteemed Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with prizes for Superb Storytelling and Excellence in Visuals.
Adding to the developer's achievements, its gifted performers also received individual awards. Jennifer English was named Outstanding Lead Performance for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Best Supporting Performer for his work as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive itself received Studio of the Year. Overall, Clair Obscur and its developers won seven awards during the show.
Additional standout winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which received Best Audio Design and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Outstanding Independent Game and Best PC Game. Worth mentioning, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the gamers, with only 4 categories—Critics Choice, Breakthrough Award, Hall of Fame, and Streamer Selection—judged by critics.
Here is the full list of award recipients from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Top Story – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Audio – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Top 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
- 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' Pick – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough – Schedule I
- Best Gaming Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Actor – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lead Performance Award – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame Inductee – The Sims
- PC Game of the Year – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics' Choice – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Game – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those missed out on the live show, the awards ceremony can be watched via video following this article.