Expedition 33 Dominates at the 2025's Golden Joystick Awards
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards took place on Thursday, and in a stunning display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the most decorated winner. This standout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive earned the coveted Game of the Year award, along with accolades for Best Storytelling and Top Visual Design.
Complementing the developer's achievements, the skilled cast also were honored with personal awards. Jennifer English won Best Lead Performer for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Supporting Performance Award for his acting as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive itself received Best Development Team. Overall, Clair Obscur and its makers achieved 7 awards during the ceremony.
Additional major winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Best Audio Design and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Outstanding Independent Game and Best PC Game. It is important to note, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the gamers, with only four awards—Critics' Pick, Rising Star, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamers' Favorite—decided by reviewers.
Below is the complete list of honorees from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Top Story – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Top Visual Design – 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
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing - Mobile – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough – Schedule I
- Top Gaming Gear – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Supporting Performance Award – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lead Performance Award – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame – The Sims
- Best PC Game – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you who missed the actual ceremony, the awards ceremony can be watched via video below.