Expedition 33 Dominates at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards

The forty-third yearly Golden Joystick Awards unfolded this past week, and through an impressive show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the most decorated winner. The breakout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive earned the esteemed Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with honors for Outstanding Narrative and Top Visual Design.

Enhancing the studio's triumph, its skilled cast also were honored with individual awards. Jennifer English was named Top Lead Actor for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Supporting Performance Award for his role as Verso. Furthermore, Sandfall Interactive the studio was named Studio of the Year. Overall, Clair Obscur and its creative team achieved seven awards throughout the show.

Other standout winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which received Outstanding Audio and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Outstanding Independent Game and PC Game of the Year. Notably, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the audience, with only 4 awards—Critics Choice, Rising Star, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamers' Favorite—decided by reviewers.

Here is the complete list of award recipients from the 2025 gaming awards:

  • Top Story – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
  • Top Audio – Ghost of YĹŤtei
  • Top Multiplayer Title – Peak
  • Best Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
  • Best Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
  • Top Indie (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
  • Best Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
  • Mobile Game Still Played – PokĂ©mon Go
  • Console/PC Game Still Played – Minecraft
  • Streamers' Pick – Peak
  • Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
  • Breakthrough Award – Schedule I
  • Best Gaming Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
  • Top Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
  • Best Supporting Performer – 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
  • Console Game of the Year – Ghost of YĹŤtei
  • 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 live show, the awards ceremony can be watched through streaming below.

Nathan Walker
Nathan Walker

A passionate writer and thinker sharing insights on creativity and personal development.