Expedition 33 Dominates at the 2025's Golden Joystick Ceremony
The forty-third annual Golden Joystick Awards were hosted this past week, and in a stunning display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the biggest winner. The surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive won the esteemed Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with accolades for Outstanding Narrative and Top Visual Design.
Enhancing the developer's achievements, its skilled actors also garnered individual awards. Jennifer English was named Top Lead Actor for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Best Supporting Actor for his role as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive the studio received Studio of the Year. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its creative team collected seven awards during the ceremony.
Other notable winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded 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 majority of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the public, with only four categories—Critics’ Choice, Rising Star, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamers’ Choice—judged by reviewers.
Following is the complete list of award recipients from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Top Multiplayer Title – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Top Early Access Title – REPO
- Best Music – 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’ Choice – Peak
- Best Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough Award – Schedule I
- Top Gaming Gear – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Game 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
- Best PC Game – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics’ Choice Award – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Anticipated – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you missed out on the live event, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards is available to watch online below.
