Expedition 33 Sweeps at the 2025's Golden Joystick Ceremony
The forty-third annual Golden Joystick Awards took place this past week, and through an impressive performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the biggest winner. The breakout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive won the esteemed Top Game award, along with prizes for Outstanding Narrative and Best Visual Design.
Complementing the developer's triumph, the skilled cast also garnered personal awards. Jennifer English was named Outstanding Lead Performance for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Best Supporting Performer for his acting as Verso. Furthermore, Sandfall Interactive itself was honored as Top Studio. In total, Clair Obscur and its developers achieved seven awards during the show.
Additional notable winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which received Outstanding Audio and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Top Self-Published Indie and Premier PC Title. It is important to note, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the audience, with only four special—Critics Choice, Rising Star, Hall of Fame, and Streamer Selection—determined by reviewers.
Following is the entire list of award recipients from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Audio – Ghost of Yōtei
- Top Multiplayer Title – Peak
- Best Visuals – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Self-Published Indie – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Top Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Top Early Access Title – REPO
- Best Soundtrack – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Console/PC Game Still Played – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough – Schedule I
- Top Gaming Gear – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best 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
- 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
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the full show, the awards ceremony can be viewed through streaming following this article.