Expedition 33 Triumphs at the 2025 Golden Joystick Ceremony
The forty-third annual Golden Joystick Awards took place recently, and through an impressive display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the most decorated winner. This breakout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive won the esteemed Top Game award, along with accolades for Outstanding Narrative and Excellence in Visuals.
Complementing the developer's achievements, the gifted cast also were honored with individual awards. Jennifer English received Best Lead Performer for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Best Supporting Actor for his acting as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive itself was named Top Studio. Overall, Clair Obscur and its makers achieved 7 awards throughout the event.
Additional major winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Top Sound Design and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Top Self-Published Indie and Best PC Game. It is important to note, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the gamers, with only 4 special—Critics Choice, Breakthrough Award, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamers' Favorite—decided by critics.
Below is the complete list of winners from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Audio – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Self-Published Indie – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Independent Game – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access Game – REPO
- Best Soundtrack – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
- Streamers’ Choice – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – Schedule I
- Best Gaming Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Supporting Performance Award – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lead Performance Award – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame Inductee – The Sims
- PC Game of the Year – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics’ Choice Award – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Game – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those missed out on the actual show, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 can be watched via video here.
