Expedition 33 Sweeps at the 2025's Golden Joystick Ceremony
The forty-third yearly Golden Joystick Awards took place this past week, and in a stunning show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the most decorated winner. This standout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive secured the prestigious Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with honors for Superb Storytelling and Best Visual Design.
Complementing the studio's success, its talented performers also received personal awards. Jennifer English received Best Lead Performer for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Supporting Performance Award for his role as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive the studio received Studio of the Year. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its creative team won 7 awards during the event.
Additional major winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which won Top Sound Design and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Outstanding Independent Game and Best PC Game. Worth mentioning, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the gamers, with only four special—Critics’ Choice, Rising Star, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamer Selection—decided by critics.
Following is the full list of award recipients from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Top Story – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Best Visuals – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Self-Published Indie – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access Game – REPO
- Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Console/PC Game Still Played – Minecraft
- Streamers’ Choice – Peak
- Best Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough – Schedule I
- Best 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
- 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 Wanted Game – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the actual ceremony, the awards ceremony is available to watch through streaming below.
