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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won Ultimate Game of the Year at the 43rd Golden Joystick Awards, held in London on November 20, 2025. It also won three other game categories, while the full results included both public-vote winners and four awards selected critically.
Who won Golden Joystick Awards 2025?
The awards recognized games, performers, a studio and a hardware product. Here is the complete winners list, grouped by how each award was selected. MCV/DEVELOP’s results release says more than 21 million public votes were cast across 22 categories; it separately identifies four critically chosen awards. MCV/DEVELOP’s full results lists all of the winners below.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Clair Obscur Expedition 33 PS5 | $45.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (PS5) | $41.74 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - For PS5 | $45.68 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Clair Obscur Expedition 33 [Korean Edition] for PS5 | $69.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Monolith Set Collector's Edition | $550.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Public-vote awards
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Storytelling | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 |
| Best Audio Design | Ghost of Yōtei |
| Best Multiplayer Game | PEAK |
| Best Visual Design | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 |
| Best Game Expansion | 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 Game | R.E.P.O |
| Best Soundtrack | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 |
| Best Game Trailer | Grand Theft Auto VI Trailer 2 |
| Still Playing – Mobile | Pokémon GO |
| Still Playing – Consoles & PC | Minecraft |
| Best Remake / Remaster | The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered |
| Best Gaming Hardware | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D |
| Best Game Adaptation | Arcane Season 2 |
| Best Supporting Performer | Ben Starr, for Verso |
| Best Lead Performer | Jennifer English, for Maelle |
| PC Game of the Year | Hollow Knight: Silksong |
| Console Game of the Year | Ghost of Yōtei |
| Most Wanted Game | Grand Theft Auto VI |
| Ultimate Game of the Year | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 |
Critically chosen awards
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Streamers’ Choice | PEAK |
| Breakthrough Award | Schedule I |
| Hall of Fame | The Sims |
| Critics’ Choice Award | Donkey Kong Bananza |
What did Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 win?
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won Best Storytelling, Best Visual Design, Best Soundtrack and Ultimate Game of the Year. Its developer, Sandfall Interactive, received Studio of the Year. Jennifer English won Best Lead Performer for playing Maelle, and Ben Starr won Best Supporting Performer for playing Verso.
How were the 2025 awards decided?
Most categories were decided by public vote, but the awards were not all fan-voted. MCV/DEVELOP identifies Critics’ Choice, Breakthrough Award, Hall of Fame and Streamers’ Choice as critically chosen. Its release reports more than 21 million public votes across 22 categories; the 22-category figure describes the public-vote portion, not every award listed above.
#1 Best Overall
- Reactive Turn-based Combat: Craft unique builds for your Expeditioners that fit your playstyle via gear, stats, skills, and &character synergies
- Dodge, parry, and counter in real time, chain combos by mastering attack rhythms, and target enemy weak points using a free aim system
- With only one year left to live, join Gustave, Maelle, & fellow Expeditioners as they embark on a desperate quest to break Paintress’ cycle of death
- Explore an enchanting realm populated by adversaries; Wander through breathtaking landscapes, from Island of Visages to the Forgotten Battlefield
- Experience the debut game from Sandfall Interactive, fully realized in Unreal Engine 5 with stunning graphics and a heartbreaking soundtrack
GamesRadar’s retrospective describes more than 21 million votes cast during October and early November. It says main voting closed October 31, while voting for Ultimate Game of the Year ran separately from November 3 to 7. GamesRadar’s Golden Joystick Awards page provides that voting timeline.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When and where was the ceremony?
The 43rd Golden Joystick Awards took place in London on November 20, 2025, and was streamed worldwide. Maggie Robertson hosted the ceremony.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- COLLECTOR'S EDITION SET: Premium Monolith Set for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 featuring an exclusive collectible statue, expedition journal, and decorative outer box for fans and collectors
- DETAILED MONOLITH STATUE: Intricately designed collectible statue featuring the iconic Expedition 33 monolith with weathered stone textures, gold accents, and atmospheric detailing that captures the game's dark fantasy aesthetic
- EXPEDITION JOURNAL: Exclusive hardcover journal with themed artwork and design elements from the game, perfect for notes, sketches, or as a display piece alongside the statue
- PREMIUM PACKAGING: Comes in a striking collector's box featuring dramatic character artwork with rose petal effects and distressed design elements that reflect the game's mysterious atmosphere
- PERFECT FOR DISPLAY: The monolith statue serves as an impressive centerpiece for any gaming collection or display shelf, celebrating the unique world of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Rank #4
- This is KOEAN VERSION released in South Korea. Region Free title so you can play it on your system.
- Language: Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish
Rank #3
- Engaging Storyline: Dive into a rich, narrative-driven adventure with unexpected twists.
- Complex Puzzles: Test your problem-solving skills with challenging puzzles.
- Immersive World: Explore a visually stunning alien planet with breathtaking details and treacherous terrain.
Rank #2
- Reactive Turn-based Combat - In this evolution of JRPGs, real-time actions enhance the heart of turn-based combat. Build your party and level up six characters. Craft unique builds for your expeditioners that fit your playstyle via gear, stats, skills, and character synergies. Open an active dimension in combat - dodge, parry, and counter in real time, chain combos by mastering attack rhythms, and target enemy weak points using a free-aim system.
- “Tomorrow Comes” - With only one year left to live, join Gustave, Maelle, and their fellow Expeditioners as they embark upon a desperate quest to break the Paintress’ cycle of death. Follow the trail of previous expeditions and discover their fate. Get to know the members of Expedition 33 as they learn to work together against impossible odds.
- A Hauntingly Beautiful World - Explore an enchanting realm populated by surreal adversaries. Wander through breathtaking landscapes, from the Island of Visages to the Forgotten Battlefield, discovering secrets and hidden quests along the way. Find allies of fortune in creatures of legend and recruit a special companion who can access new travel methods and secret areas in the World Map.
- Experience the debut game from Sandfall Interactive, fully realized in Unreal Engine 5 with stunning graphics and a heartbreaking soundtrack.
- European/ UK version
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.




