Expedition 33 Sweeps at the 2025 Golden Joystick Ceremony
The forty-third annual Golden Joystick Awards unfolded this past week, and with a remarkable performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the top winner. The surprise role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive won the prestigious Top Game award, along with accolades for Outstanding Narrative and Best Visual Design.
Adding to the studio's achievements, the talented actors also garnered personal awards. Jennifer English won Outstanding Lead Performance for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Best Supporting Performer for his role as Verso. Furthermore, Sandfall Interactive itself was honored as Best Development Team. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its creative team collected seven awards throughout the event.
Additional standout winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which won Top Sound Design and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Outstanding Independent Game and PC Game of the Year. Worth mentioning, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the public, with only four awards—Critics’ Choice, Breakthrough, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamers’ Choice—judged by critics.
Below is the complete list of honorees from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Audio – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Best Visuals – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Studio of the Year – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access Game – REPO
- Best Soundtrack – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Mobile Game Still Played – Pokémon Go
- Console/PC Game Still Played – Minecraft
- Streamers' Pick – Peak
- Best Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough – Schedule I
- Best Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Performer – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lead Performance Award – 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' Choice – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the actual event, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards can be viewed through streaming below.
