Expedition 33 Sweeps at the 2025's Golden Joystick Awards
The forty-third annual Golden Joystick Awards unfolded on Thursday, and through an impressive performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the most decorated winner. This surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive earned the prestigious Top Game award, along with accolades for Best Storytelling and Best Visual Design.
Enhancing the developer's triumph, the talented performers also were honored with individual awards. Jennifer English received Outstanding Lead Performance for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Best Supporting Performer for his acting as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive the studio was honored as Studio of the Year. Overall, Clair Obscur and its makers won seven awards during the ceremony.
Additional major winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which won Best Audio Design and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and Best PC Game. It is important to note, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the public, with only four awards—Critics' Pick, Breakthrough Award, Hall of Fame, and Streamers’ Choice—determined by experts.
Below is the full list of award recipients from the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Best Visuals – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Self-Published Indie – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Independent Game – 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
- 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
- Best 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 – The Sims
- Top PC Title – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics’ Choice Award – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the live show, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards is available to watch via video below.
