Expedition 33 Triumphs at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards
The forty-third annual Golden Joystick Awards were hosted on Thursday, and in a stunning show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the most decorated winner. The breakout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive won the prestigious Game of the Year award, along with prizes for Superb Storytelling and Best Visual Design.
Adding to the studio's triumph, the talented performers also were honored with personal awards. Jennifer English won Top Lead Actor for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Supporting Performance Award for his role as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive the studio was honored as Studio of the Year. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its creative team achieved 7 awards throughout the show.
Additional notable winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which received Best Audio Design and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Top Self-Published Indie and PC Game of the Year. Worth mentioning, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the gamers, with only 4 special—Critics’ Choice, Rising Star, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamers’ Choice—decided by reviewers.
Following is the entire list of winners from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Best Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Self-Published Indie – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Studio of the Year – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Best Soundtrack – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Mobile Game Still Played – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing (Console/PC) – Minecraft
- Streamers' Pick – Peak
- Best Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough Award – Schedule I
- Best Gaming Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Actor – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lead Performance Award – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame Inductee – The Sims
- Best PC Game – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you missed out on the live event, the awards ceremony can be viewed through streaming here.
