Expedition 33 Dominates at the 2025 Gaming Honors
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards unfolded this past week, and with a remarkable display, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the most decorated winner. This surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive secured the prestigious Game of the Year award, along with honors for Best Storytelling and Top Visual Design.
Enhancing the studio's success, its talented actors also garnered individual awards. Jennifer English won Best Lead Performer for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Best Supporting Actor for his work as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive itself received Top Studio. In total, Clair Obscur and its developers collected 7 awards throughout the show.
Additional major winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which received Best Audio Design and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and PC Game of the Year. Worth mentioning, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the audience, with only four awards—Critics Choice, Rising Star, Hall of Fame, and Streamer Selection—decided by reviewers.
Following is the complete list of award recipients from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Audio – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Best Visuals – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Self-Published Indie – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Independent Game – Blue Prince
- Studio of the Year – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access Game – 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 Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Actor – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lead Performance Award – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame Inductee – The Sims
- Best PC Game – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics’ Choice Award – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Game – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you missed out on the actual show, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 can be watched online below.
