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(Image credit: Kepler Interactive)
The Golden Joystick Awards saw a variety of exciting new games from 2025 rewarded last night, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was certainly no exception – in fact, the game tied with another turn-based RPG for the record of most awards bagged at the event.
That turn-based RPG is none other than Baldur's Gate 3, a game that arguably changed the genre forever with its reception and reach (heck, I'm still replaying it to this day, and it came out two years ago). Back in 2023, the Dungeons & Dragons-inspired title beat out the record of six Golden Joystick wins that The Last of Us 2 previously held, snagging a solid seven itself, from Best Storytelling to Game of the Year.
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RPGs reign supreme as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 ties Baldur's Gate 3's record-breaking Golden Joystick Awards haul
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As Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 surpasses Baldur's Gate 3 on Game Award nominations, Larian publishing lead says it's "intensely hopeful" to see a new IP from a fledgling team do so well
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Baldur's Gate 3 boss says Game Awards 2025 nominees like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 are "proof" the industry still recognizes "passion," regardless of the "budget or who is making it"
Nice! Definitely deserved. Felicitations @SandfallGames !!!! https://t.co/GunWqfylSLNovember 20, 2025
Baldur's Gate 3 director and Larian Studios lead Swen Vincke approves of the wins matching his own from a couple of years back, shouting out Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Sandfall Interactive in a new online post. Responding to the Golden Joystick account's announcement that the French game has been crowned Ultimate Game of the Year, Vincke writes, "Nice! Definitely deserved. Felicitations, Sandfall Games!!!!"
It's certainly a wholesome interaction – but it doesn't come as much of a surprise. The Baldur's Gate 3 mastermind recently reacted positively to The Game Awards 2025 nominations as well, where Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is up for a plethora of titles, calling them "proof" that the industry still recognizes "passion" – regardless of the "budget or who is making it." The director's past posts highlight his sincerity as well.
Here's hoping Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 musters up even more wins next month, come The Game Awards – and perhaps Sandfall Interactive will end up like Larian Studios, saying their game won so many awards it started to "affect development" afterward.
The Witcher legend Doug Cockle agrees "there's so many great games this year," but Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the highlight: "It's such a beautifully written game, and beautifully conceived and achieved."
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ NewsletterContact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. CATEGORIES PC Gaming Xbox Series X PS5 Platforms Xbox PlayStation PRODUCTS Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Baldur's Gate 3
Anna KoselkeSocial Links NavigationStaff WriterAfter spending years with her head in various fantastical realms' clouds, Anna studied English Literature and then Medieval History at the University of Edinburgh, going on to specialize in narrative design and video game journalism as a writer. She has written for various publications since her postgraduate studies, including Dexerto, Fanbyte, GameSpot, IGN, PCGamesN, and more. When she's not frantically trying to form words into coherent sentences, she's probably daydreaming about becoming a fairy druid and befriending every animal or she's spending a thousand (more) hours traversing the Underdark in Baldur's Gate 3. If you spot her away from her PC, you'll always find Anna with a fantasy book, a handheld video game console of some sort, and a Tamagotchi or two on hand.
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RPGs reign supreme as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 ties Baldur's Gate 3's record-breaking Golden Joystick Awards haul
As Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 surpasses Baldur's Gate 3 on Game Award nominations, Larian publishing lead says it's "intensely hopeful" to see a new IP from a fledgling team do so well
Baldur's Gate 3 boss says Game Awards 2025 nominees like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 are "proof" the industry still recognizes "passion," regardless of the "budget or who is making it"
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's record-high nominations at The Game Awards proves what I've been saying for the past 8 months
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is your Ultimate Game of the Year at the Golden Joystick Awards 2025, because of course it is
The Witcher legend Doug Cockle agrees "there's so many great games this year," but Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the highlight: "It's such a beautifully written game, and beautifully conceived and achieved"
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