Expedition 33 Dominates at the 2025 Golden Joystick Ceremony
The forty-third yearly Golden Joystick Awards were hosted recently, and in a stunning show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the most decorated winner. The standout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive earned the esteemed Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with accolades for Outstanding Narrative and Top Visual Design.
Complementing the developer's success, its gifted performers also were honored with personal awards. Jennifer English received Best Lead Performer for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Best Supporting Actor for his acting as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive the studio received Best Development Team. Overall, Clair Obscur and its makers achieved seven awards throughout the event.
Other standout winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Outstanding Audio and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and Premier PC Title. Notably, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the public, with only 4 awards—Critics Choice, Breakthrough, Hall of Fame, and Streamer Selection—judged by critics.
Here is the complete list of winners from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Outstanding Narrative – 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 Self-Published Indie – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Independent Game – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access Game – REPO
- Best Soundtrack – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Mobile Game Still Played – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
- Streamers’ Choice – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough – Schedule I
- Best Gaming Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best 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 – The Sims
- Best PC Game – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics’ Choice Award – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those missed out on the live show, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 can be viewed through streaming below.
