Expedition 33 Dominates at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards took place recently, and through an impressive performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the biggest winner. The breakout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive won the coveted Top Game award, along with accolades for Outstanding Narrative and Best Visual Design.
Enhancing the developer's triumph, its gifted actors also were honored with personal awards. Jennifer English was named Top Lead Actor for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Supporting Performance Award for his role as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive itself was honored as Top Studio. Overall, Clair Obscur and its makers collected seven awards during the ceremony.
Other standout winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which received Outstanding Audio and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and Best PC Game. It is important to note, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the gamers, with only 4 special—Critics’ Choice, Rising Star, Hall of Fame, and Streamer Selection—determined by critics.
Here is the entire list of award recipients from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Top Story – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Top Multiplayer Title – Peak
- Best Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Studio of the Year – Sandfall Interactive
- Top Early Access Title – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Console/PC Game Still Played – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Best Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough Award – Schedule I
- Best Gaming Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Actor – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Performer – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lifetime Achievement – The Sims
- Top PC Title – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics' Choice – 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 full event, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards can be viewed through streaming following this article.
