Expedition 33 Dominates at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards
The forty-third yearly Golden Joystick Awards were hosted recently, and through an impressive performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the top winner. This standout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive earned the esteemed Top Game award, along with accolades for Superb Storytelling and Top Visual Design.
Complementing the studio's success, its talented performers also garnered personal awards. Jennifer English was named Best Lead Performer for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Best Supporting Performer for his work as Verso. Furthermore, Sandfall Interactive the studio was honored as Studio of the Year. In total, Clair Obscur and its developers collected 7 awards throughout the ceremony.
Additional standout winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Best Audio Design and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Top Self-Published Indie and Best PC Game. It is important to note, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the public, with only four categories—Critics Choice, Breakthrough Award, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamers’ Choice—judged by reviewers.
Here is the full list of honorees from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Top Story – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Top Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access Game – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing (Console/PC) – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Best Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough Award – Schedule I
- Top Gaming Gear – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Top Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Performer – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lead Performance Award – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame Inductee – The Sims
- Top PC Title – 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
For those missed out on the actual event, the awards ceremony is available to watch through streaming below.
