Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Tops 2025 Golden Joystick Nominations, Beating Out Big Names

Die Golden Joystick Awards 2025 are open for voting, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is leading the pack with six nominations — more than Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Der Geist von Yōteiund Kingdom Come: Befreiung II, which each received four. According to GamesRadar, the nominations include major categories such as Studio of the Year, Best Storytelling, and Best Visual Design.

Which Titles Are in the Running?

Alongside Clair Obscur, several other major titles earned multiple nominations:

• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
• Der Geist von Yōtei
• Kingdom Come: Befreiung II
• Indie hits such as Hollow Knight: Silksong, Sword of the Seaund Peak

Golden Joystick Awards 2025: Key Dates and Format

Voting for all 21 categories, including the newly introduced Best Remake/Remaster, runs through October 31, 2025 (midnight GMT). The shortlist for Ultimate Game of the Year will be revealed on November 3, with final winners — including Critics’ Choice and Breakthrough Awards — announced on November 20, 2025 at the annual Golden Joystick ceremony. Details and voting are available on the official voting portal.

Deep Dive: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Developed by Sandfall Interactive, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a narrative-driven RPG that launched in April 2025 for PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S. Its stunning art direction, hybrid turn-based combat, and emotionally charged storytelling have earned it broad critical acclaim. According to Wikipedia, the game’s painterly art style and surreal atmosphere have been widely praised for pushing visual storytelling boundaries.

Sandfall’s creative director recently hinted that Expedition 33 may not be the last entry in the universe, suggesting expansions or a follow-up project could already be in the works. This was discussed in an interview covered by Windows-Zentrale.

Nominations by Category

Warum Clair Obscur Is Leading the Charge

There are several reasons Clair Obscur has emerged as a frontrunner for 2025’s awards season:

• Original IP Impact: A fresh concept that resonated with players and critics alike.
• Visual Excellence: A unique watercolor aesthetic blending surrealism and realism.
• Emotional Storytelling: Deep narrative themes about mortality, purpose, and human struggle.
• Balanced Gameplay: Its mix of turn-based and real-time mechanics drew praise for innovation.

What to Watch as Voting Continues

• How Clair Obscur performs when “Ultimate Game of the Year” voting opens in November.
• Whether indie titles like Sword of the Sea und Peak can break through against AAA competition.
• Whether Death Stranding 2 oder Der Geist von Yōtei gain late momentum through fan-driven campaigns.

Schlussfolgerung

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is currently defining this year’s awards race, proving that artistry and innovation can triumph over blockbuster budgets. With six nominations and glowing critical reception, it’s shaping up to be one of the most celebrated releases of 2025. Whether it sweeps the Golden Joysticks or not, its influence on visual and narrative design seems certain to endure.