Expedition 33 Sweeps at the 2025 Golden Joystick Ceremony

The forty-third yearly Golden Joystick Awards were hosted recently, and through an impressive performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 claimed the title of the top winner. This surprise role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive secured the esteemed Game of the Year award, along with honors for Outstanding Narrative and Best Visual Design.

Enhancing the developer's achievements, the gifted performers also received individual awards. Jennifer English received Outstanding Lead Performance for her performance as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Best Supporting Actor for his acting as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive itself was named Studio of the Year. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its creative team won 7 awards throughout the event.

Other notable winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which won Outstanding Audio and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and Premier PC Title. It is important to note, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the public, with only four categories—Critics' Pick, Rising Star, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamers’ Choice—decided by critics.

Below is the full list of award recipients from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:

• Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
• Best Multiplayer – Peak
• Best Visuals – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
• Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
• Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
• Studio of the Year – Sandfall Interactive
• Best Early Access – REPO
• Top Score – 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’ 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 Performer – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Best Lead Performer – 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' Choice – Donkey Kong Bananza
• Most Anticipated – Grand Theft Auto 6
• Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

For those who missed the full ceremony, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards can be viewed through streaming here.