Expedition 33 Dominates at the 2025 Golden Joystick Ceremony
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards took place recently, and with a remarkable show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the biggest winner. The breakout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive earned the prestigious Game of the Year award, along with honors for Superb Storytelling and Best Visual Design.
Enhancing the developer's triumph, the talented actors also received individual awards. Jennifer English won Best Lead Performer for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Supporting Performance Award for his role as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive the studio received Top Studio. Overall, Clair Obscur and its developers won seven awards throughout the show.
Additional major winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which won Outstanding Audio and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and Best PC Game. It is important to note, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the audience, with only four categories—Critics’ Choice, Breakthrough, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamers’ Choice—judged by critics.
Following is the entire list of award recipients from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Top Story – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Top Multiplayer Title – Peak
- Best Visuals – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Expansion – 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
- Best Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing - Mobile – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing (Console/PC) – Minecraft
- Streamers’ Choice – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough – Schedule I
- Top Gaming Gear – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Top Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Actor – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Actor – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame – The Sims
- Best PC Game – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics' Choice – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you who missed the full ceremony, the awards ceremony can be watched via video following this article.
