Clair Obscur Triumphs at the 2025's Golden Joystick Ceremony
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards were hosted on Thursday, and with a remarkable display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the top winner. This surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive secured the coveted Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with honors for Outstanding Narrative and Best Visual Design.
Adding to the developer's achievements, the skilled performers also garnered personal awards. Jennifer English was named Outstanding Lead Performance for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Best Supporting Actor for his work as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive itself was named Top Studio. Overall, Clair Obscur and its makers won 7 awards during the event.
Other standout winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which received Outstanding Audio and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and Premier PC Title. It is important to note, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the audience, with only 4 awards—Critics' Pick, Breakthrough, Hall of Fame, and Streamers' Favorite—decided by experts.
Below is the entire list of award recipients from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Audio – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Best Visuals – 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
- Top Early Access Title – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Console/PC Game Still Played – 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
- Lead Performance Award – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lifetime Achievement – The Sims
- PC Game of the Year – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Console Game – 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 actual ceremony, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 can be watched via video below.