Expedition 33 Triumphs at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards
The forty-third annual Golden Joystick Awards were hosted this past week, and with a remarkable performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the top winner. This surprise role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive secured the prestigious Top Game award, along with accolades for Superb Storytelling and Top Visual Design.
Enhancing the studio's triumph, the talented performers also garnered personal awards. Jennifer English won Best Lead Performer for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Best Supporting Actor for his role as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive the studio was honored as Studio of the Year. In total, Clair Obscur and its developers achieved seven awards during the show.
Additional standout winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which received Top Sound Design and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning 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 Streamer Selection—determined by critics.
Here is the full list of award recipients from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Best Visuals – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Top Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Mobile Game Still Played – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Best Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough – Schedule I
- Best Gaming Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Actor – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lead Performance Award – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lifetime Achievement – The Sims
- Top PC Title – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics' Choice – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Anticipated – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you missed out on the full event, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards can be watched through streaming below.