Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Dominates the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 Nominations

The Golden Joystick Awards have always been one of the most anticipated events in the gaming industry, providing a rare space where the verdict isn’t left solely to critics or insiders but to players themselves. For 2025, the nominations have now gone live across 21 categories, and this year, one title has clearly surged ahead as the frontrunner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the striking debut from French studio Sandfall Interactive. What’s more, this recognition comes at a time when the competition is especially fierce, with sequels from household names and indie darlings all vying for recognition.

Sandfall’s first game has taken the community by storm with a total of six nominations, earning it the spotlight as the most recognized title of the year so far. The studio itself has also earned a nomination for Best Studio, cementing its arrival on the global stage. Yet the results are not without surprises: while Clair Obscur appears in major creative categories such as Best Storytelling, Best Visual Design, and Best Soundtrack, it notably misses out on Console Game of the Year, a decision that has puzzled many fans who assumed its acclaim would translate directly into that shortlist.

Instead, Sandfall’s game finds itself praised most for its artistry and performances. Jennifer English, whose work as protagonist Maelle has been widely celebrated for its emotional depth, is in the running for Best Leading Performer. Alongside her, Ben Starr, remembered by many for his passionate turn as Clive in Final Fantasy XVI, receives recognition here for his role as Verso in Clair Obscur. Together, these nominations underscore what many reviewers have emphasized: that this is a game built as much on atmosphere and storytelling as on mechanics.

Other major contenders are not to be overlooked. Ghost of Yōtei, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 all tie with four nominations each. Hollow Knight: Silksong, the long-awaited sequel that has hovered on wishlists for years, also appears across multiple categories, reinforcing how anticipation alone can carry weight when paired with Team Cherry’s history of crafting polished, beloved experiences. The competition is broad, and while Clair Obscur has the most nominations, no category feels predetermined.

What makes the Golden Joysticks particularly significant is their democratic structure. While a jury panel selects the nominees, the winners are determined entirely by public voting, which often elevates the games that resonate most deeply with everyday players rather than just those that critics champion. Last year’s Black Myth: Wukong proved exactly that, rising to take the Ultimate Game of the Year award through sheer player support. This year, the Ultimate Game category nominations will not be revealed until November 3, 2025, leaving the possibility that Clair Obscur and its rivals could further expand their tally.

Looking closer at the nominations list, one can see how the awards capture both the breadth of modern gaming and its shifting trends. Best Storytelling features both triple-A epics and inventive indies: SILENT HILL f returns horror to the spotlight, while Blue Prince and Lost Records: Bloom & Rage bring a more experimental flavor. Visual Design is another crowded battleground, with Death Stranding 2 unsurprisingly nominated thanks to Hideo Kojima’s reputation for surreal imagery, while The Midnight Walk and Sword of the Sea represent visually striking indie sensibilities. Meanwhile, long-standing franchises flex their muscles in the multiplayer category: Battlefield 6, Mario Kart World REMATCH, and Elden Ring NIGHTREIGN are all up against smaller experimental projects like Split Fiction.

The awards also reflect how much indie and self-published projects now matter. Hollow Knight: Silksong, Hades II, and PEAK are among the most visible indie nominees, proving that high creativity often emerges outside the blockbuster circuit. Self-published titles like Keep Driving and DELTARUNE are celebrated in their own category, highlighting how independent developers thrive without major publishers.

Gaming hardware, too, gets its due. The Nintendo Switch 2 unsurprisingly makes the shortlist alongside its Pro Controller, while PC enthusiasts are eyeing the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D and the WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe SSD. This balance of categories demonstrates how the Joysticks aren’t just about art and story but about the total ecosystem of gaming.

Yet it’s the artistry of Clair Obscur that continues to dominate the conversation. Wccftech’s earlier review praised the game’s “gripping story, beautifully written cast, and gameplay that breathes new life into familiar mechanics,” a sentiment echoed across forums and social feeds. Fans point to the painterly art style, likened to 19th-century impressionism brought to life, and to the haunting score that lingers long after the screen fades to black. Sandfall Interactive has achieved what many first-time studios dream of: a debut that not only makes an impression but establishes a reputation capable of rivalling seasoned veterans.

Some fans have raised eyebrows at the omissions. Why was Clair Obscur left out of Console Game of the Year when its design philosophy seems purpose-built for cinematic storytelling on big screens? Why does Ghost of Yōtei, still shrouded in mystery for many, appear across more mainstream categories despite less critical coverage so far? Such questions reflect the fact that, however democratic, awards always carry an element of unpredictability. What cannot be denied, however, is that Sandfall’s title has given the 2025 Golden Joysticks a clear centerpiece.

Looking ahead, all eyes will turn to November when the ultimate prizes are announced. Whether Clair Obscur will convert its nominations into victories remains to be seen, but regardless of outcome, the game has already achieved something rare: it has defined the conversation around gaming in 2025. In a year packed with sequels, remasters, and industry giants, a debut title rising to lead the field is no small feat. That alone might be the clearest victory of all.