Clair Obscur Sweeps at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards

The 43rd yearly Golden Joystick Awards were hosted this past week, and with a remarkable display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the biggest winner. This surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive won the prestigious Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with prizes for Superb Storytelling and Top Visual Design.

Complementing the developer's success, its gifted actors also received individual awards. Jennifer English received Best Lead Performer for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Best Supporting Actor for his work as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive itself was honored as Best Development Team. Overall, Clair Obscur and its makers collected 7 awards during the show.

Other major winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which won Top Sound Design and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Outstanding Independent Game and Premier PC Title. Worth mentioning, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the public, with only 4 special—Critics’ Choice, Rising Star, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamer Selection—judged by reviewers.

Here is the complete list of award recipients from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:

• Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Top Audio – Ghost of Yōtei
• Top Multiplayer Title – Peak
• Best Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Best Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
• Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
• Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
• Studio of the Year – Sandfall Interactive
• Best Early Access – REPO
• Best Soundtrack – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Best Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
• Still Playing - Mobile – Pokémon Go
• Still Playing - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
• Streamers’ Choice – Peak
• Best Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
• Breakthrough Award – Schedule I
• Best Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
• Best Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
• Best Supporting Actor – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Lead Performance Award – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Lifetime Achievement – 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 of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

If you missed out on the full event, the awards ceremony is available to watch online below.