A passionate linguist and writer dedicated to helping others improve their communication through creative storytelling.
The 43rd yearly Golden Joystick Awards were hosted this past week, and through an impressive performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the most decorated winner. The standout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive earned the esteemed Top Game award, along with accolades for Best Storytelling and Excellence in Visuals.
Complementing the developer's success, the talented performers also received individual awards. Jennifer English won Top Lead Actor for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Best Supporting Actor for his acting as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive itself received Studio of the Year. In total, Clair Obscur and its developers achieved seven awards throughout the ceremony.
Other notable winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which won Top Sound Design and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and Premier PC Title. It is important to note, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the public, with only 4 categories—Critics’ Choice, Breakthrough Award, Hall of Fame, and Streamers’ Choice—determined by critics.
Here is the entire list of award recipients from the 2025 gaming awards:
For those who missed the full show, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 is available to watch via video following this article.
A passionate linguist and writer dedicated to helping others improve their communication through creative storytelling.