The forty-third annual Golden Joystick Awards took place recently, and through an impressive display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the top winner. This breakout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive won the esteemed Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with honors for Outstanding Narrative and Best Visual Design.
Complementing the studio's achievements, the skilled cast also were honored with personal awards. Jennifer English received Best Lead Performer for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Best Supporting Actor for his role as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive the studio received Best Development Team. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its makers achieved 7 awards throughout the event.
Additional major winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Outstanding Audio and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Top Self-Published Indie and Best PC Game. Worth mentioning, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the gamers, with only 4 special—Critics' Pick, Breakthrough, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamers' Favorite—judged by experts.
Here is the entire list of award recipients from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Audio – Ghost of Yōtei
- Top Multiplayer Title – Peak
- Best Visuals – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Top Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access Game – REPO
- Top Score – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing (Console/PC) – Minecraft
- Streamers' Pick – Peak
- Best Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough – Schedule I
- Top Gaming Gear – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Performer – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Actor – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame – The Sims
- Top PC Title – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics’ Choice Award – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those missed out on the full ceremony, the awards ceremony can be watched through streaming following this article.
