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The Golden Joystick Awards 2025 have wrapped up in London, and this year’s biggest achievement belongs to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The stylish action RPG swept the ceremony with a massive seven wins, including the most prestigious honour of all, Ultimate Game of the Year.

With more than 21 million votes cast across the globe, the 43rd annual show proved once again why it remains the longest-running publicly voted awards in gaming.

A Historic Night for Expedition 33

Expedition 33’s victory was nothing short of dominant. Developer Sandfall Interactive not only picked up seven Golden Joysticks, but also matched the all-time record previously set by Baldur’s Gate 3 and Larian Studios back in 2023.

The game impressed voters and critics alike with its emotional storytelling, expressive performances, and striking visual design, making its sweep feel well-deserved.

Here are the major awards Expedition 33 won:

  • Best Storytelling
  • Best Visual Design
  • Best Soundtrack
  • Best Lead Performer
  • Best Supporting Performer
  • Studio of the Year
  • Ultimate Game of the Year

For a new IP to take home this many awards in one night is a rare achievement, marking Expedition 33 as one of the defining games of 2025.

A Ceremony Full of Chaos and Celebration

Resident Evil star Maggie Robertson, best known as Lady Dimitrescu, hosted the night with energetic flair. She brought humour, unexpected moments, and even a live song performance to the stage, keeping the London crowd entertained throughout the show.

The awards were streamed internationally, giving fans all over the world a front-row seat to the celebrations.

Standout Winners Beyond Expedition 33

While Expedition 33 took centre stage, a wide variety of games were recognised across the industry. Here are some of the biggest winners:

Indie and PC Highlights

  • Best Indie Game: Blue Prince
  • Best Indie Game, Self-Published: Hollow Knight: Silksong
  • PC Game of the Year: Hollow Knight: Silksong

Multiplayer, Console, and Expansion Winners

  • Best Multiplayer Game: PEAK
  • Console Game of the Year: Ghost of Yōtei
  • Best Game Expansion: Lies of P: Overture

Presentation and Audio Categories

  • Best Audio Design: Ghost of Yōtei
  • Best Game Trailer: Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2

Hardware and Adaptation Awards

  • Best Gaming Hardware: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
  • Best Game Adaptation: Arcane Season 2
  • Best Remake / Remaster: The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered

Most Wanted Game

  • GTA 6 claimed Most Wanted Game once again, keeping the hype for Rockstar’s upcoming release sky-high.

Long-running Games Still Going Strong

Live-service and ongoing titles also had their moment:

  • Still Playing (Mobile): Pokémon Go
  • Still Playing (PC & Console): Minecraft

Despite their age, both games continue to dominate engagement charts and remain cultural pillars.

A Landmark Year for Sandfall Interactive

With seven Golden Joystick Awards in their hands, Sandfall Interactive’s year ends on a high note. Expedition 33 has cemented itself as an emotional, beautifully designed, and mechanically rich adventure that resonated strongly with players worldwide.

The Golden Joysticks 2025 showcased the full spectrum of what makes gaming special, from fresh indie creativity to blockbuster spectacle. But this year unquestionably belongs to Expedition 33.