Expedition 33 Dominates at the 2025 Gaming Honors
The 43rd yearly Golden Joystick Awards took place this past week, and through an impressive performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the top winner. This surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive secured the coveted Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with accolades for Outstanding Narrative and Best Visual Design.
Complementing the studio's success, the skilled performers also received personal awards. Jennifer English was named Top Lead Actor for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Best Supporting Actor for his acting as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive itself was honored as Studio of the Year. In total, Clair Obscur and its creative team collected 7 awards throughout the ceremony.
Other major winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which received Best Audio Design and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and Best PC Game. Worth mentioning, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the gamers, with only four awards—Critics' Pick, Breakthrough Award, Hall of Fame, and Streamers’ Choice—decided by experts.
Below is the complete list of award recipients from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Top Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Best Soundtrack – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing (Mobile) – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing - Consoles & PC – Minecraft
- Streamers' Pick – Peak
- Best Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – Schedule I
- Top Gaming Gear – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Top 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
- Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Game – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those missed out on the live show, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 can be viewed through streaming here.
