Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been crowned Ultimate Game of the Year at the Golden Joystick Awards 2025, the long-running awards ceremony decided primarily by public voting. The 2025 show was held in London and hosted by Maggie Robertson. [1][2]

The Ultimate Game of the Year category is the event’s headline prize. In 2025, the shortlist included titles such as Blue Prince, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Donkey Kong Bananza, Ghost of Yotei, Hades II, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Peak, Silent Hill f, and Split Fiction. Players ultimately voted for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to take the top spot. [2][3]

The win capped a standout night for developer Sandfall Interactive. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 collected seven Golden Joystick trophies in total, including Best Storytelling, Best Visual Design, Best Soundtrack, and Studio of the Year. The game’s cast also took both performance awards, with Jennifer English winning Best Lead Performer for her portrayal of Maelle, and Ben Starr winning Best Supporting Performer for his role as Verso. [2][3][4]

According to the Golden Joystick Awards’ official event page, Ultimate Game of the Year voting ran in a dedicated window from November 3 to November 7, separate from the main category voting. The ceremony took place on November 20, 2025. [1]

Other notable Golden Joystick Awards 2025 winners

A few other headline winners from the 2025 ceremony include: [3][4][5]

• Hollow Knight: Silksong, PC Game of the Year and Best Indie Game (Self-Published).
• Ghost of Yotei, Console Game of the Year and Best Audio Design.
• Blue Prince, Best Indie Game.
• Grand Theft Auto VI, Most Wanted Game and Best Game Trailer (Trailer Two).
• Arcane Season 2, Best Game Adaptation.
• Peak, Best Multiplayer Game and Streamers’ Choice.
• The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Best Remake / Remaster.
• AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, Best Gaming Hardware.

With Ultimate Game of the Year in hand and six additional category wins, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerges as one of the defining games of 2025’s awards season, and the biggest winner of this year’s Golden Joysticks. [2][3][4]

References

1. [1] Golden Joystick Awards 2025 official page (GamesRadar, Golden Joystick Awards hub). https://www.gamesradar.com/goldenjoystickawards/
2. [2] GamesRadar+, “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is your Ultimate Game of the Year at the Golden Joystick Awards 2025” (Nov 20, 2025). https://www.gamesradar.com/games/action-rpg/clair-obscur-expedition-33-ultimate-game-of-the-year-golden-joystick-awards-2025/
3. [3] GamesRadar+, “All the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 winners revealed” (Nov 20, 2025). https://www.gamesradar.com/games/events-conferences/golden-joystick-awards-2025-all-winners/
4. [4] The Indiependent, “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Leads Golden Joystick Awards 2025 Winners” (Nov 20, 2025). https://www.indiependent.co.uk/clair-obscur-expedition-33-leads-golden-joystick-awards-2025-winners/
5. [5] The A.V. Club, “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 cleans up at the Golden Joystick Awards” (Nov 21, 2025). https://www.avclub.com/golden-joystick-awards-2025