Expedition 33 Dominates at the 2025's Golden Joystick Ceremony
The 43rd yearly Golden Joystick Awards were hosted on Thursday, and in a stunning display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the top winner. This breakout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive earned the prestigious Game of the Year award, along with honors for Best Storytelling and Best Visual Design.
Adding to the developer's achievements, the skilled performers also garnered individual awards. Jennifer English was named Top Lead Actor for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Best Supporting Actor for his acting as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive itself was named Studio of the Year. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its creative team collected 7 awards during the show.
Other notable winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Outstanding Audio and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and Best PC Game. Notably, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the audience, with only four special—Critics Choice, Breakthrough, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamers’ Choice—judged by reviewers.
Following is the complete list of honorees from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Top Story – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Best Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Studio of the Year – Sandfall Interactive
- Top Early Access Title – REPO
- Best Soundtrack – 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' Pick – Peak
- Best 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
- Lead Performance Award – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame – The Sims
- Top PC Title – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you missed out on the full show, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 is available to watch via video here.
