Expedition 33 Dominates at the 2025 Golden Joystick Ceremony
The 43rd yearly Golden Joystick Awards were hosted this past week, and in a stunning display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the most decorated winner. The surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive earned the esteemed Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with prizes for Superb Storytelling and Top Visual Design.
Enhancing the studio's achievements, its talented cast also received personal awards. Jennifer English was named Best Lead Performer for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Best Supporting Actor for his role as Verso. Furthermore, Sandfall Interactive the studio was honored as Studio of the Year. Overall, Clair Obscur and its makers collected seven awards throughout the show.
Additional standout winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which won Best Audio Design and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Outstanding Independent Game and Best PC Game. It is important to note, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the audience, with only four special—Critics’ Choice, Breakthrough Award, Hall of Fame, and Streamer Selection—judged by critics.
Here is the entire list of award recipients from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Top Story – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Audio – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Best Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Independent Game – Blue Prince
- Studio of the Year – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Top Score – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough Award – Schedule I
- Top Gaming Gear – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Performer – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Performer – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame Inductee – The Sims
- Best PC Game – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics' Choice – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those missed out on the actual ceremony, the awards ceremony can be viewed online below.
