Expedition 33 Sweeps at the 2025's Gaming Honors
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards were hosted this past week, and in a stunning performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the biggest winner. This breakout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive won the esteemed Ultimate Game of the Year award, along with prizes for Outstanding Narrative and Excellence in Visuals.
Adding to the developer's triumph, the skilled actors also were honored with personal awards. Jennifer English was named Top Lead Actor for her performance 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 developers won seven awards throughout the event.
Additional notable winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Top Sound Design and Best Console Game, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, winning Top Self-Published Indie and Best PC Game. Worth mentioning, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the public, with only 4 special—Critics' Pick, Rising Star, Hall of Fame inductee, and Streamers’ Choice—judged by reviewers.
Following is the complete list of award recipients from the Golden Joystick Awards 2025:
- 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 Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – 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
- Best Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough Award – Schedule I
- Top Gaming Gear – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Actor – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Actor – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lifetime Achievement – The Sims
- Top PC Title – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Game – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the actual show, the awards ceremony can be watched through streaming below.
