Clair Obscur Dominates at the 2025's Golden Joystick Ceremony
The 43rd yearly Golden Joystick Awards unfolded this past week, and in a stunning display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the most decorated winner. The standout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive earned the coveted Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with prizes for Outstanding Narrative and Best Visual Design.
Complementing the studio's triumph, its talented cast also were honored with individual awards. Jennifer English was named Outstanding Lead Performance for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Supporting Performance Award for his acting as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive itself received Top Studio. In total, Clair Obscur and its makers collected 7 awards during the ceremony.
Other major winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which won Top Sound Design and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Top Self-Published Indie and PC Game of the Year. Worth mentioning, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the audience, with only four special—Critics Choice, Breakthrough, Hall of Fame, and Streamers' Favorite—decided by critics.
Following is the complete list of award recipients from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Audio – Ghost of Yōtei
- Top Multiplayer Title – Peak
- Best Visuals – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Independent Game – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Top Early Access Title – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing - Mobile – Pokémon Go
- Console/PC Game Still Played – Minecraft
- Streamers’ Choice – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough – Schedule I
- Best Hardware – 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 Inductee – The Sims
- Top PC Title – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics' Choice – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the actual ceremony, the awards ceremony is available to watch via video following this article.
