Expedition 33 Sweeps at the 2025 Gaming Honors
The 43rd annual Golden Joystick Awards unfolded this past week, and with a remarkable show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the most decorated winner. This surprise role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive won the coveted Game of the Year award, along with honors for Outstanding Narrative and Best Visual Design.
Complementing the studio's achievements, the talented actors also were honored with personal awards. Jennifer English won Top Lead Actor for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Best Supporting Actor for his acting as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive the studio received Studio of the Year. Altogether, Clair Obscur and its creative team won seven awards throughout the event.
Additional major winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which won Top Sound Design and Console Game of the Year, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Outstanding Independent Game and Premier PC Title. It is important to note, the majority of Golden Joystick Awards are selected by the public, with only four special—Critics’ Choice, Breakthrough Award, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamer Selection—determined by experts.
Following is the complete list of winners from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Audio Design – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Best Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game 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 Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Mobile Game Still Played – Pokémon Go
- Console/PC Game Still Played – Minecraft
- Streamers' Pick – Peak
- Top Remake – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – Schedule I
- Top Gaming Gear – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Performer – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Actor – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hall of Fame Inductee – The Sims
- Best PC Game – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Console Game – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Anticipated – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those missed out on the live event, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 is available to watch online here.
