Clair Obscur Triumphs at the 2025 Gaming Honors
The forty-third annual Golden Joystick Awards took place on Thursday, and through an impressive show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the most decorated winner. This surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive won the esteemed Top Game award, along with accolades for Best Storytelling and Best Visual Design.
Adding to the studio's success, its gifted cast also garnered personal awards. Jennifer English won Best Lead Performer for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Supporting Performance Award for his role as Verso. Furthermore, Sandfall Interactive the studio was honored as Top Studio. In total, Clair Obscur and its makers achieved seven awards during the show.
Other standout winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which received Best Audio Design and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Outstanding Independent Game and Premier PC Title. It is important to note, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the public, with only 4 special—Critics Choice, Breakthrough Award, Hall of Fame, and Streamers’ Choice—decided by reviewers.
Here is the full list of award recipients from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – 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
- Top Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Mobile Game Still Played – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing (Console/PC) – Minecraft
- Streamers' Pick – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough – 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 Performer – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame – The Sims
- PC Game of the Year – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Anticipated – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those missed out on the full event, the awards ceremony is available to watch through streaming below.
