Expedition 33 Sweeps at the 2025's Golden Joystick Awards
The 43rd yearly Golden Joystick Awards were hosted recently, and through an impressive performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the most decorated winner. This breakout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive secured the coveted Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with prizes for Best Storytelling and Top Visual Design.
Complementing the developer's success, its gifted performers also were honored with individual awards. Jennifer English was named Best Lead Performer for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Supporting Performance Award for his work as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive the studio was honored as Studio of the Year. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its developers collected 7 awards throughout the ceremony.
Other standout winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which received Top Sound Design and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and Premier PC Title. Notably, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the gamers, with only 4 special—Critics' Pick, Breakthrough Award, Hall of Fame, and Streamer Selection—determined by critics.
Following is the complete list of honorees from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Self-Published Indie – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Top Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access Game – REPO
- Top Score – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Console/PC Game Still Played – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Best Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – Schedule I
- Top Gaming Gear – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Top Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Performer – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Performer – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame Inductee – The Sims
- Top PC Title – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics' Choice – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you missed out on the actual ceremony, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards can be viewed via video below.
