Clair Obscur Dominates at the 2025's Golden Joystick Awards

The forty-third annual Golden Joystick Awards unfolded this past week, and through an impressive show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the top winner. This surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive won the esteemed Top Game award, along with honors for Best Storytelling and Top Visual Design.

Complementing the studio's achievements, its talented actors also garnered personal awards. Jennifer English was named Best Lead Performer for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Best Supporting Actor for his work as Verso. Furthermore, Sandfall Interactive itself received Studio of the Year. In total, Clair Obscur and its makers achieved 7 awards throughout the ceremony.

Other standout winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which received Outstanding Audio and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Top Self-Published Indie and Best PC Game. It is important to note, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the audience, with only 4 awards—Critics’ Choice, Rising Star, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamers’ Choice—judged by experts.

Following is the entire list of honorees from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:

• Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
• Top Multiplayer Title – Peak
• Best Visuals – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
• Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
• Best Independent Game – Blue Prince
• Studio of the Year – Sandfall Interactive
• Top Early Access Title – REPO
• Best Soundtrack – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
• Still Playing - Mobile – Pokémon Go
• Console/PC Game Still Played – Minecraft
• Streamers’ Choice – Peak
• Best Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
• Breakthrough Award – Schedule I
• Best Hardware – 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 Inductee – The Sims
• PC Game of the Year – Hollow Knight: Silksong
• Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
• Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
• Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
• Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

For those who missed the live event, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 can be watched online below.