Expedition 33 Triumphs at the 2025's Golden Joystick Ceremony
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards were hosted this past week, and in a stunning display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the top winner. The surprise role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive earned the coveted Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with prizes for Best Storytelling and Top Visual Design.
Complementing the studio's triumph, its gifted actors also garnered individual awards. Jennifer English won Outstanding Lead Performance for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Best Supporting Actor for his acting as Verso. Furthermore, Sandfall Interactive itself received Studio of the Year. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its makers achieved seven awards during the ceremony.
Additional notable winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which received Best Audio Design and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Outstanding Independent Game and PC Game of the Year. It is important to note, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the gamers, with only four categories—Critics Choice, Breakthrough Award, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamers’ Choice—decided by critics.
Below is the complete list of winners from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Best Visuals – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Independent Game – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing - Mobile – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing (Console/PC) – Minecraft
- Streamers' Pick – Peak
- Best 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 Actor – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lifetime Achievement – The Sims
- Best PC Game – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics’ Choice Award – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Game – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you missed out on the full show, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards can be viewed online here.
