Expedition 33 Dominates at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards
The forty-third yearly Golden Joystick Awards were hosted recently, and with a remarkable show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the most decorated winner. The breakout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive secured the esteemed Game of the Year award, along with honors for Best Storytelling and Excellence in Visuals.
Enhancing the studio's success, the gifted actors also garnered individual awards. Jennifer English was named Top Lead Actor for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Supporting Performance Award for his acting as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive the studio was named Best Development Team. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its developers achieved 7 awards during the show.
Other standout winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which won Outstanding Audio and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and PC Game of the Year. It is important to note, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the gamers, with only four categories—Critics’ Choice, Breakthrough, Hall of Fame, and Streamers' Favorite—decided by reviewers.
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 – Peak
- Best Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Self-Published Indie – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Studio of the Year – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access Game – REPO
- Top Score – 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’ Choice – Peak
- Best Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough – 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 Performer – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame Inductee – The Sims
- PC Game of the Year – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Anticipated – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the live show, the awards ceremony can be watched online here.
