Expedition 33 Dominates at the 2025's Golden Joystick Ceremony
The forty-third annual Golden Joystick Awards took place on Thursday, and through an impressive performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the top winner. The surprise role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive secured the coveted Top Game award, along with prizes for Superb Storytelling and Excellence in Visuals.
Adding to the studio's success, the talented actors also garnered individual awards. Jennifer English was named Outstanding Lead Performance for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr earned Supporting Performance Award for his work as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive itself received Studio of the Year. Overall, Clair Obscur and its makers achieved seven awards during the show.
Additional major winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which received Top Sound Design and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and Premier PC Title. Notably, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the public, with only four awards—Critics' Pick, Rising Star, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamers’ Choice—determined by reviewers.
Below is the entire list of honorees from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Best Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Independent Game – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access – REPO
- Top Score – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing - Mobile – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing (Console/PC) – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – Schedule I
- Best Gaming Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Top Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Actor – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Performer – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame Inductee – The Sims
- Best PC Game – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Game – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you who missed the live ceremony, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 can be watched through streaming below.
