Clair Obscur Dominates at the 2025's Gaming Honors
The forty-third yearly Golden Joystick Awards took place this past week, and with a remarkable display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the most decorated winner. The breakout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive won the prestigious Game of the Year award, along with accolades for Superb Storytelling and Best Visual Design.
Enhancing the studio's triumph, its gifted actors also were honored with personal awards. Jennifer English won Top Lead Actor for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Best Supporting Actor for his work as Verso. Furthermore, Sandfall Interactive itself was honored as Best Development Team. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its creative team won seven awards during the show.
Other notable winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which won Top Sound Design and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Outstanding Independent Game and Premier PC Title. Notably, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the public, with only four special—Critics Choice, Rising Star, Hall of Fame, and Streamers' Favorite—judged by experts.
Below is the full list of award recipients from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Top Story – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Audio – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Best Visuals – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Studio of the Year – Sandfall Interactive
- Top Early Access Title – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing (Console/PC) – Minecraft
- Streamers’ Choice – Peak
- Best Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – Schedule I
- Best Gaming Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Actor – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Performer – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame Inductee – 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 – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you who missed the full ceremony, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 can be watched online here.
