Expedition 33 Dominates at the 2025 Golden Joystick Ceremony

The 43rd yearly Golden Joystick Awards took place recently, and through an impressive performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the biggest winner. The breakout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive secured the prestigious Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with prizes for Superb Storytelling and Best Visual Design.

Adding to the developer's success, the gifted performers also were honored with personal awards. Jennifer English won Top Lead Actor for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Best Supporting Actor for his work as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive itself received Studio of the Year. In total, Clair Obscur and its makers won 7 awards throughout the event.

Other notable winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Best Audio Design and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Outstanding Independent Game and PC Game of the Year. Notably, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the gamers, with only four awards—Critics' Pick, Breakthrough, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamers' Favorite—judged by reviewers.

Following is the entire list of winners from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:

• Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Excellence in Sound – 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
• Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
• Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
• Best Early Access – REPO
• Best Music – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
• Mobile Game Still Played – Pokémon Go
• Still Playing (Console/PC) – Minecraft
• Streamers' Pick – Peak
• Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
• Breakthrough – Schedule I
• Top Gaming Gear – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
• Best Game 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 – The Sims
• Best PC Game – Hollow Knight: Silksong
• Top Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
• Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
• Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
• Ultimate Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

For those missed out on the full ceremony, the awards ceremony can be watched through streaming following this article.