Expedition 33 Sweeps at the 2025's Golden Joystick Awards
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards unfolded this past week, and through an impressive show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the top winner. The breakout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive won the prestigious Game of the Year award, along with prizes for Superb Storytelling and Excellence in Visuals.
Complementing the developer's triumph, its gifted actors also received personal awards. Jennifer English was named Outstanding Lead Performance for her performance 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 makers achieved 7 awards during the event.
Additional notable winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Best Audio Design and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and Premier PC Title. Worth mentioning, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the public, with only four special—Critics Choice, Breakthrough Award, Hall of Fame, and Streamer Selection—determined by reviewers.
Following is the complete list of award recipients from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Top Story – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Audio – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game 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 Music – 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 Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Performer – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Actor – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame Inductee – The Sims
- Top PC Title – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those missed out on the actual show, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards is available to watch online here.
