Clair Obscur Dominates at the 2025 Gaming Honors
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards unfolded on Thursday, and in a stunning performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the top winner. The surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive won the coveted Top Game award, along with accolades for Superb Storytelling and Best Visual Design.
Enhancing the developer's success, its gifted cast also garnered individual awards. Jennifer English received Best Lead Performer for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Best Supporting Actor for his work as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive itself was honored as Best Development Team. In total, Clair Obscur and its creative team achieved 7 awards during the show.
Additional major winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Top Sound Design and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and Best PC Game. Notably, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the public, with only 4 special—Critics' Pick, Breakthrough, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamers’ Choice—judged by experts.
Here is the complete list of honorees from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access Game – REPO
- Best Soundtrack – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing (Console/PC) – Minecraft
- Streamers’ Choice – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough Award – Schedule I
- Best Gaming Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Supporting Performance Award – 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
- Top Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics' Choice – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you missed out on the actual show, the awards ceremony is available to watch online below.
