Expedition 33 Dominates at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards
The 43rd yearly Golden Joystick Awards unfolded recently, and with a remarkable show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the biggest winner. This standout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive won the prestigious Game of the Year award, along with prizes for Best Storytelling and Top Visual Design.
Complementing the studio's triumph, the talented cast also received individual awards. Jennifer English won Best Lead Performer for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Best Supporting Actor for his acting as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive the studio was honored as Studio of the Year. Overall, Clair Obscur and its makers won seven awards throughout the ceremony.
Additional standout winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Best Audio Design and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Top Self-Published Indie and PC Game of the Year. It is important to note, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the public, with only 4 special—Critics' Pick, Rising Star, Hall of Fame, and Streamer Selection—determined by critics.
Here is the complete list of award recipients from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Top Story – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Best Visuals – 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
- Top Score – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Mobile Game Still Played – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
- Streamers’ Choice – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough Award – Schedule I
- Top Gaming Gear – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Supporting Performance Award – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lead Performance Award – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lifetime Achievement – The Sims
- Top PC Title – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the full ceremony, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 can be watched online below.
