Expedition 33 Triumphs at the 2025 Golden Joystick Ceremony
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards took place this past week, and through an impressive show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the top winner. The standout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive earned the coveted Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with prizes for Outstanding Narrative and Best Visual Design.
Enhancing the studio's achievements, its talented performers also garnered individual awards. Jennifer English was named Best Lead Performer for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Supporting Performance Award for his acting as Verso. Furthermore, Sandfall Interactive itself was named Studio of the Year. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its creative team collected 7 awards during the ceremony.
Other major winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which won Outstanding Audio and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and PC Game of the Year. It is important to note, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the public, with only four awards—Critics’ Choice, Rising Star, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamer Selection—determined by reviewers.
Following is the entire list of honorees from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Top Story – 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
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Top Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access Game – REPO
- Best Soundtrack – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Console/PC Game Still Played – Minecraft
- Streamers' Pick – Peak
- Best Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – Schedule I
- Top Gaming Gear – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Performer – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lead Performance Award – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lifetime Achievement – The Sims
- PC Game of the Year – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics’ Choice Award – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you who missed the actual show, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards can be watched via video following this article.
