Expedition 33 Sweeps at the 2025's Golden Joystick Ceremony
The forty-third yearly Golden Joystick Awards took place on Thursday, and through an impressive show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the most decorated winner. This breakout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive won the prestigious Game of the Year award, along with prizes for Superb Storytelling and Top Visual Design.
Complementing the developer's success, its skilled cast also garnered personal awards. Jennifer English was named Best Lead Performer for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Best Supporting Actor for his work as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive the studio was named Top Studio. Overall, Clair Obscur and its makers won seven awards during the event.
Other major winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Outstanding Audio and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with 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 gamers, with only four special—Critics' Pick, Rising Star, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamers’ Choice—judged by critics.
Following is the entire list of award recipients from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Top Multiplayer Title – Peak
- Best Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Studio of the Year – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Best Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough – Schedule I
- Best Gaming Hardware – 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
- Hall of Fame – The Sims
- PC Game of the Year – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics' Choice – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Game – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you missed out on the actual ceremony, the awards ceremony can be watched via video here.
