Clair Obscur Triumphs at the 2025 Gaming Honors
The forty-third yearly Golden Joystick Awards unfolded this past week, and in a stunning performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the biggest winner. The standout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive won the prestigious Game of the Year award, along with honors for Outstanding Narrative and Excellence in Visuals.
Adding to the developer's triumph, the talented actors also garnered individual awards. Jennifer English received Best Lead Performer for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Best Supporting Performer for his acting as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive itself was honored as Top Studio. Overall, Clair Obscur and its creative team collected 7 awards throughout the show.
Additional standout winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Top Sound Design and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Outstanding Independent Game and PC Game of the Year. It is important to note, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the audience, with only 4 categories—Critics Choice, Rising Star, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamer Selection—decided by critics.
Here is the full list of winners from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Best Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access Game – REPO
- Best Soundtrack – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Mobile Game Still Played – Pokémon Go
- Console/PC Game Still Played – Minecraft
- Streamers’ Choice – Peak
- Best Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – Schedule I
- Best Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Performer – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lead Performance Award – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame – The Sims
- Best PC Game – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics’ Choice Award – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Game – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you missed out on the actual ceremony, the awards ceremony is available to watch via video here.