Expedition 33 Triumphs at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards took place this past week, and through an impressive show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the top winner. This surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive earned the esteemed Game of the Year award, along with accolades for Outstanding Narrative and Excellence in Visuals.
Enhancing the studio's triumph, the skilled cast also were honored with personal awards. Jennifer English won Best Lead Performer for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Best Supporting Actor for his role as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive the studio was named Best Development Team. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its makers collected 7 awards throughout the show.
Additional notable winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which received Best Audio Design and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Outstanding Independent Game and Premier PC Title. It is important to note, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the gamers, with only four categories—Critics' Pick, Rising Star, Hall of Fame, and Streamers' Favorite—determined by experts.
Following is the full list of award recipients from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Best Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Best Development 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 (Console/PC) – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough Award – Schedule I
- Top Gaming Gear – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Top Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Supporting Performance Award – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Performer – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame – The Sims
- PC Game of the Year – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Console Game – 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 full ceremony, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 is available to watch through streaming here.
