Expedition 33 Sweeps at the 2025's Golden Joystick Ceremony
The forty-third annual Golden Joystick Awards were hosted this past week, and with a remarkable performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the most decorated winner. This surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive earned the prestigious Top Game award, along with accolades for Outstanding Narrative and Excellence in Visuals.
Adding to the developer's triumph, the talented performers also received individual awards. Jennifer English won Outstanding Lead Performance for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Best Supporting Actor for his role as Verso. Furthermore, Sandfall Interactive itself was honored as Studio of the Year. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its developers collected seven awards during the event.
Additional standout winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which received Outstanding Audio and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Outstanding Independent Game and Best PC Game. Notably, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the public, with only 4 awards—Critics’ Choice, Breakthrough, Hall of Fame, and Streamers' Favorite—judged by reviewers.
Following is the entire list of award recipients from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Best Visuals – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Independent Game – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Top Score – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
- Streamers’ Choice – Peak
- Best Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough – Schedule I
- Best Gaming Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Top Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Supporting Performance Award – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Actor – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame Inductee – The Sims
- PC Game of the Year – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Anticipated – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the live ceremony, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 can be watched via video here.
