Expedition 33 Dominates at the 2025's Gaming Honors
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards unfolded this past week, and through an impressive performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the biggest winner. The surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive secured the esteemed Game of the Year award, along with accolades for Best Storytelling and Best Visual Design.
Complementing the studio's success, the talented actors also received individual awards. Jennifer English won Best Lead Performer for her portrayal 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. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its makers achieved 7 awards throughout the event.
Additional standout winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which received Top Sound Design and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Outstanding Independent Game and Premier PC Title. Notably, the bulk of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the gamers, with only 4 categories—Critics’ Choice, Breakthrough Award, Hall of Fame, and Streamers’ Choice—judged by experts.
Following is the entire list of winners from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Top Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Game Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Independent Game – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access Game – 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’ Choice – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – Schedule I
- Best Gaming Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best 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
- Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics’ Choice Award – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Game – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you who missed the full show, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 can be watched via video here.
