Expedition 33 Dominates at the 2025's Golden Joystick Ceremony
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards unfolded on Thursday, and in a stunning performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the top winner. The surprise role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive won the coveted Game of the Year award, along with accolades for Outstanding Narrative and Top Visual Design.
Enhancing the developer's triumph, its skilled actors also garnered individual awards. Jennifer English was named Top Lead Actor for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Supporting Performance Award for his acting as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive the studio was honored as Top Studio. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its developers achieved 7 awards throughout the ceremony.
Additional notable winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which won Best Audio Design and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Outstanding Independent Game and Premier PC Title. Notably, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the audience, with only 4 categories—Critics’ Choice, Breakthrough, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamers' Favorite—decided by reviewers.
Below is the complete list of award recipients from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Top Score – 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 – Schedule I
- Best Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Top Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Actor – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Performer – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lifetime Achievement – The Sims
- Top PC Title – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics' Choice – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Game – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you who missed the live event, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 is available to watch online following this article.
