Expedition 33 Dominates at the 2025's Golden Joystick Ceremony
The forty-third annual Golden Joystick Awards took place this past week, and through an impressive show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the biggest winner. The surprise role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive secured the prestigious Top Game award, along with prizes for Outstanding Narrative and Top Visual Design.
Adding to the studio's achievements, its talented cast also garnered personal awards. Jennifer English was named Top Lead Actor for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Best Supporting Performer for his acting as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive the studio was named Best Development Team. Overall, Clair Obscur and its creative team won 7 awards throughout the ceremony.
Other standout winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which won Top Sound Design and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Top Self-Published Indie and PC Game of the Year. It is important to note, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the public, with only 4 awards—Critics Choice, Breakthrough, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamers’ Choice—determined by experts.
Here is the complete list of winners from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Best Visuals – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Studio of the Year – 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
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Best Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – 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
- Top Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics’ Choice Award – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you missed out on the actual event, the awards ceremony is available to watch via video below.