Clair Obscur Leads the Pack With Six Golden Joystick Nods
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a debut from Sandfall Interactive, is kicking off the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 with gusto. The game earned six nominations, the most for any title this year. Its praise spans storycraft, visuals, and music, along with acting spots for its main cast.
The buzz highlights a spread across several big fields. It racks up Best Storytelling, Best Visual Design, and Best Soundtrack. Its lead actors are also getting attention for their work on the roles Maëlle and Verso. On top of that, the game snagged a Best Leading Performer nod for Jennifer English and a Best Supporting Performer nod for Ben Starr. It still faced one more nomination in another category, keeping fans guessing about the full tally.
Despite this strong showing, Clair Obscur did not land a spot in Console Game of the Year. The award crowd can still celebrate the game’s impact, as the public vote shapes many categories beyond console awards alone.
How the Six Nods Break Down
– Best Storytelling
– Best Visual Design
– Best Soundtrack
– Best Leading Performer — Jennifer English as Maëlle
– Best Supporting Performer — Ben Starr as Verso
– One additional nomination in another category not named here
This spread shows the game has both a solid narrative voice and strong audio-visual work. The acting line is fresh too, with strong turns from its two leads. The extra, unnamed nomination signals that the game shows strength in more than a single facet, even if it misses a few big trophies.
Rivals Keeping Pace
Close behind Clair Obscur are Hollow Knight: Silksong, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, and Ghost of Yōtei. Each of these titles sits on four nominations, making a tight race as the awards near their end. The field remains lively with fresh takes, bold visuals, and a range of tech feats that appeal to different corners of the gaming crowd.
This trio of upstarts ensures the night stays competitive. Fans will be watching for any late surprises as ballots stay open and voters weigh scope, art, and the weight of a performance on screen.
Voting Is Open, With Winners Dropping on November 3
The Golden Joystick Awards invite fans to take part. Public voting covers platform choices, design, performance, and more. This year’s rules give gamers a direct say in who takes home trophies. The final list of winners will appear on November 3, 2025, making the vote a big moment for studios and fans alike.
As the ballots move toward their close, Clair Obscur’s stars align with a moment when players feel a strong pull toward debut titles that bring new ideas to life. The mix of storytelling and craft in the gaming scene has made this year’s race feel fresh and personal.
Why Clair Obscur Is Gaining Ground Fast
Sandfall Interactive brings a clean, approachable package with Clair Obscur. Its art direction stands out, and the music helps the world breathe. The game’s story threads are easy to follow, yet they carry real emotion. The two leads deliver performances that land with warmth and presence, helping the world feel lived-in and real. This win in multiple fronts shows how a first project can create a lasting impression when it sticks to simple, strong ideas.
The nominations in design and sound show a deep appreciation for the craft, not just the marketing spin around a bold concept. Players react to small, meaningful details that add up to a memorable whole. Even as big titles push bravely, Clair Obscur proves a debut can plant roots and spark loyalty among fans and critics alike.
The Bigger Picture for Sandfall Interactive
A six-nomination start sets a high bar for Sandfall. It signals strong play across writing, visuals, and music, with solid acting on both sides of the camera. If the public keeps voting the way fans hope, the studio could ride this early success into a bigger momentum swing. For a new label, that kind of early praise can shape future projects and attract partners who want to back fresh voices in the genre.
The Golden Joystick Awards season is a chance for audiences to spotlight titles that might otherwise fly under the radar. This year’s slate shows how indie teams can push the envelope while still delivering a tight, playable adventure. The public’s role in this process adds a real sense of ownership for players who invest in these worlds.
As the event grows closer, the industry watches to see which direction fans push the awards. Clair Obscur’s rise serves as a reminder that debut games can compete with bigger names when they offer clear vision and solid heart. The final outcome will shape how Sandfall is seen in the years ahead and could spark more daring ideas from the studio.
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