Expedition 33 Triumphs at the 2025 Golden Joystick Ceremony
The 43rd yearly Golden Joystick Awards unfolded on Thursday, and with a remarkable performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the most decorated winner. This surprise role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive secured the prestigious Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with accolades for Superb Storytelling and Best Visual Design.
Complementing the developer's achievements, the talented actors also were honored with individual awards. Jennifer English won Best Lead Performer for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Supporting Performance Award for his acting as Verso. Furthermore, Sandfall Interactive the studio received Studio of the Year. Overall, Clair Obscur and its makers won seven awards during the event.
Additional major winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which received Outstanding Audio and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and PC Game of the Year. It is important to note, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the public, with only four special—Critics Choice, Breakthrough Award, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamers’ Choice—decided by experts.
Following is the full list of award recipients from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Studio of the Year – Sandfall Interactive
- Top Early Access Title – REPO
- Top Score – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game 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
- Breakthrough Award – Schedule I
- Best Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Supporting Performance Award – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Actor – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lifetime Achievement – The Sims
- PC Game of the Year – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Game – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those missed out on the actual show, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 can be viewed online here.
