Expedition 33 Sweeps at the 2025's Golden Joystick Ceremony
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards were hosted this past week, and through an impressive display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the top winner. This surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive secured the prestigious Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with honors for Superb Storytelling and Best Visual Design.
Adding to the studio's triumph, its skilled performers also were honored with personal awards. Jennifer English received Best Lead Performer for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Best Supporting Performer for his role as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive the studio received Top Studio. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its creative team achieved seven awards during the ceremony.
Other standout winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which won Top Sound Design and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Outstanding Independent Game and Premier PC Title. Notably, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the audience, with only 4 categories—Critics' Pick, Rising Star, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamers' Favorite—judged by critics.
Below is the complete list of honorees from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Top Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
- Streamers' Pick – Peak
- Best Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough Award – Schedule I
- Best Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Performer – 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
- Top 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
For those missed out on the live show, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards can be viewed through streaming following this article.
