Expedition 33 Dominates at the 2025's Golden Joystick Ceremony
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards took place recently, and through an impressive display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the most decorated winner. The breakout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive earned the coveted Game of the Year award, along with prizes for Superb Storytelling and Excellence in Visuals.
Enhancing the studio's success, the skilled actors also garnered personal awards. Jennifer English was named Outstanding Lead Performance for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Best Supporting Performer for his acting as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive itself received Best Development Team. Overall, Clair Obscur and its makers won 7 awards throughout the event.
Additional major winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which won Best Audio Design and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and Best PC Game. Notably, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the audience, with only 4 awards—Critics' Pick, Breakthrough, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamer Selection—judged by experts.
Here is the full list of honorees from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Audio – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Independent Game – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Top Early Access Title – REPO
- Top Score – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
- Streamers’ Choice – Peak
- Best Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star 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
- Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the live event, the awards ceremony can be viewed online following this article.
