Expedition 33 Sweeps at the 2025's Gaming Honors
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards unfolded on Thursday, and in a stunning performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the most decorated winner. The standout role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive secured the esteemed Top Game award, along with prizes for Superb Storytelling and Top Visual Design.
Adding to the studio's success, its gifted performers also were honored with individual awards. Jennifer English won Top Lead Actor for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr won Supporting Performance Award for his work as Verso. Moreover, Sandfall Interactive the studio received Studio of the Year. Overall, Clair Obscur and its developers achieved seven awards throughout the ceremony.
Additional standout winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which received Best Audio Design and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and PC Game of the Year. It is important to note, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the gamers, with only 4 special—Critics' Pick, Breakthrough Award, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamer Selection—judged by reviewers.
Here is the complete list of honorees from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Audio – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Best Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
- Top Indie (Self-Published) – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Indie Game – Blue Prince
- Best Development Studio – 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
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Best Remake / Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough Award – Schedule I
- Best Gaming Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Top Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Performer – 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
- Best Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics’ Choice Award – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Title – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you missed out on the full ceremony, the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards can be viewed via video here.
