Expedition 33 Sweeps at the 2025 Golden Joystick Ceremony
The forty-third annual Golden Joystick Awards were hosted on Thursday, and in a stunning display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the most decorated winner. The breakout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive won the prestigious Game of the Year award, along with accolades for Best Storytelling and Excellence in Visuals.
Adding to the developer's triumph, the gifted performers also garnered personal awards. Jennifer English was named Top Lead Actor for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Best Supporting Actor for his work as Verso. Furthermore, Sandfall Interactive itself was named Best Development Team. Overall, Clair Obscur and its makers won seven awards during the event.
Additional standout winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Outstanding Audio and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and PC Game of the Year. It is important to note, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the gamers, with only four awards—Critics' Pick, Rising Star, Hall of Fame, and Streamers’ Choice—determined by critics.
Following is the entire list of honorees from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Top Story – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Best Visuals – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Top Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Top Early Access Title – REPO
- Best Soundtrack – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
- Streamers’ Choice – Peak
- Best Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – Schedule I
- Best Gaming Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best 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 Inductee – The Sims
- PC Game of the Year – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Anticipated – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those missed out on the live event, the awards ceremony can be watched via video here.
