Clair Obscur Dominates at the 2025 Gaming Honors
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards were hosted this past week, and in a stunning performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the most decorated winner. This breakout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive won the prestigious Game of the Year award, along with accolades for Superb Storytelling and Best Visual Design.
Enhancing the studio's achievements, the skilled actors also garnered personal awards. Jennifer English won Best Lead Performer for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Supporting Performance Award for his role as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive itself was honored as Best Development Team. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its creative team collected seven awards during the ceremony.
Additional major winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which won Top Sound Design and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and Best PC Game. Worth mentioning, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the gamers, with only 4 special—Critics’ Choice, Breakthrough Award, Hall of Fame, and Streamers’ Choice—judged by critics.
Below is the entire list of honorees from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Best Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Independent Game – Blue Prince
- Top Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access Game – REPO
- Top Score – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Console/PC Game Still Played – Minecraft
- Streamers' Pick – Peak
- Best Remake / Remaster – 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
- Lead Performance Award – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame – The Sims
- PC Game of the Year – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics' Choice – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Anticipated – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you who missed the live ceremony, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards can be watched via video following this article.
