Clair Obscur Triumphs at the 2025 Gaming Honors
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards were hosted recently, and in a stunning display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the biggest winner. This surprise role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive earned the prestigious Top Game award, along with accolades for Superb Storytelling and Top Visual Design.
Complementing the studio's triumph, its skilled cast also were honored with personal awards. Jennifer English won Outstanding Lead Performance for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Best Supporting Actor for his role as Verso. Furthermore, Sandfall Interactive itself received Top Studio. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its creative team won 7 awards throughout the show.
Other major winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Top Sound Design and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Top Self-Published Indie and Best PC Game. It is important to note, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the audience, with only four categories—Critics' Pick, Breakthrough Award, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamers’ Choice—decided by experts.
Below is the entire list of award recipients from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Top Story – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Top Multiplayer Title – Peak
- Best Visuals – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Self-Published Indie – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Independent Game – Blue Prince
- Studio of the Year – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Top Score – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Mobile Game Still Played – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Best 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 Performer – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Actor – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame – The Sims
- Best PC Game – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics' Choice – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you who missed the actual ceremony, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards is available to watch through streaming here.
