Expedition 33 Sweeps at the 2025's Golden Joystick Awards
The forty-third yearly Golden Joystick Awards took place this past week, and through an impressive display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the most decorated winner. The surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive secured the esteemed Game of the Year award, along with honors for Outstanding Narrative and Top Visual Design.
Enhancing the developer's triumph, its skilled cast also received personal awards. Jennifer English was named Best Lead Performer for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Best Supporting Performer for his acting as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive itself was honored as Best Development Team. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its creative team achieved seven awards during the show.
Additional standout winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which received Top Sound Design and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and Best PC Game. Notably, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the public, with only 4 categories—Critics' Pick, Rising Star, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamers' Favorite—decided by critics.
Here is the full list of award recipients from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Best Visuals – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Independent Game – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Mobile Game Still Played – Pokémon Go
- Console/PC Game Still Played – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – 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 Performer – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame – 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 Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the live ceremony, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 can be viewed through streaming here.
