Expedition 33 Dominates at the 2025 Golden Joystick Ceremony
The 43rd yearly Golden Joystick Awards unfolded on Thursday, and with a remarkable display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the most decorated winner. The breakout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive earned the esteemed Top Game award, along with honors for Superb Storytelling and Best Visual Design.
Adding to the developer's achievements, the skilled cast also received personal awards. Jennifer English won Outstanding Lead Performance for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Supporting Performance Award for his acting as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive the studio received Top Studio. In total, Clair Obscur and its makers achieved 7 awards throughout the ceremony.
Additional standout winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which received Best Audio Design and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Top Self-Published Indie and Best PC Game. It is important to note, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the gamers, with only four special—Critics’ Choice, Rising Star, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamers' Favorite—decided by critics.
Here is the full list of award recipients from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Top Story – 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
- Best Self-Published Indie – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access Game – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Mobile Game Still Played – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing (Console/PC) – Minecraft
- Streamers' Pick – Peak
- Best Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – Schedule I
- Best Gaming Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Performer – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Actor – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lifetime Achievement – The Sims
- PC Game of the Year – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics' Choice – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Anticipated – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you who missed the actual show, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards can be watched via video following this article.
