Clair Obscur Dominates at the 2025 Gaming Honors
The 43rd yearly Golden Joystick Awards unfolded on Thursday, and through an impressive display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the biggest winner. The surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive won the esteemed Top Game award, along with prizes for Best Storytelling and Top Visual Design.
Adding to the developer's triumph, the talented actors also garnered individual awards. Jennifer English received Outstanding Lead Performance for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Supporting Performance Award for his work as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive the studio was honored as Top Studio. Overall, Clair Obscur and its developers won seven awards throughout the event.
Other major winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which received Outstanding Audio and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Outstanding Independent Game and Best PC Game. Notably, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the audience, with only 4 special—Critics' Pick, Breakthrough, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamer Selection—judged by critics.
Following is the full list of winners from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Top Story – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Audio – Ghost of Yōtei
- Top Multiplayer Title – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Self-Published Indie – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Top Early Access Title – REPO
- Top Score – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Mobile Game Still Played – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing (Console/PC) – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Best Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – Schedule I
- Top Gaming Gear – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Top Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Performer – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Actor – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lifetime Achievement – The Sims
- PC Game of the Year – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics’ Choice Award – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Anticipated – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the full show, the awards ceremony is available to watch online following this article.
