Expedition 33 Dominates at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards
The forty-third annual Golden Joystick Awards unfolded this past week, and with a remarkable performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the most decorated winner. The breakout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive won the esteemed Top Game award, along with accolades for Superb Storytelling and Top Visual Design.
Enhancing the developer's triumph, the gifted performers also garnered individual awards. Jennifer English received Best Lead Performer for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Best Supporting Performer for his role as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive the studio was named Studio of the Year. In total, Clair Obscur and its developers won seven awards during the show.
Additional standout winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Best Audio Design and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Outstanding Independent Game and Best PC Game. Worth mentioning, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the public, with only 4 categories—Critics Choice, Breakthrough, Hall of Fame, and Streamer Selection—judged by critics.
Following is the entire list of winners from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Audio – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Top Visual Design – 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 – 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
- Best Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough – Schedule I
- Top Gaming Gear – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Performer – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Actor – 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 of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you who missed the full ceremony, the awards ceremony can be watched through streaming here.