Expedition 33 Sweeps at the 2025's Golden Joystick Awards
The forty-third annual Golden Joystick Awards took place this past week, and with a remarkable display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the most decorated winner. The surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive secured the esteemed Top Game award, along with accolades for Superb Storytelling and Top Visual Design.
Adding to the developer's success, the talented cast also were honored with individual awards. Jennifer English was named Best Lead Performer for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Supporting Performance Award for his acting as Verso. Furthermore, Sandfall Interactive the studio was named Studio of the Year. In total, Clair Obscur and its makers collected 7 awards throughout the event.
Other notable winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Outstanding Audio and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and Best PC Game. Worth mentioning, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the public, with only 4 special—Critics’ Choice, Rising Star, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamers’ Choice—decided by experts.
Here is the entire list of honorees from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – 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
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Best Soundtrack – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing - Mobile – Pokémon Go
- Console/PC Game Still Played – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Best Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough Award – Schedule I
- Top Gaming Gear – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best 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
- Top Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics' Choice – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you missed out on the full show, the awards ceremony can be watched online following this article.