Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 dominated the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards, taking home Ultimate Game of the Year along with every other category it was nominated for. The sweep marks one of the most decisive victories in the ceremony’s decades-long history.
The game won an estimated seven to eight awards total during the show. Ultimate Game of the Year represents the Golden Joysticks’ top overall prize, separate from platform-specific categories like PC or Console Game of the Year.
The Golden Joysticks are 100% fan-voted, which makes the sweep particularly notable. This year’s ceremony drew a sharp line between public and critical opinion. While fans crowned Expedition 33 with Ultimate GOTY, the Critics’ Choice Award went to DK Bonanza. That separate prize is decided entirely by an expert panel of journalists and content creators.
The Ultimate GOTY category wasn’t part of the initial nominee announcements. Instead, it was revealed closer to voting, which likely drove engagement and turnout for the awards. Expedition 33 appeared on the Ultimate GOTY ballot despite not being nominated for the standard PC or Console Game of the Year categories.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a turn-based RPG that blends JRPG-inspired systems with parry-and-dodge timing mechanics. Developed by Sandfall Interactive, the game features a painterly European aesthetic and has been praised for its story, characters, and music. Players frequently cite its Act 2 plot twist as one of the best narrative moments they’ve experienced.
The game has resonated strongly with fans who describe it as a complete package in a year already packed with acclaimed releases. Its reception has drawn comparisons to breakout hits like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Elden Ring from previous years.
The Golden Joystick result positions Expedition 33 as a frontrunner heading into the rest of awards season. The game reportedly secured around 12 nominations at The Game Awards, which airs in December. However, TGA operates differently than the Golden Joysticks. Its winners are determined by approximately 90% jury votes from critics and 10% public fan votes.
That structure makes a repeat sweep far from guaranteed. The 2025 gaming calendar is stacked with heavy hitters competing for GOTY honors. Hades 2 holds the highest critic scores of the year. Other contenders include Silksong, Death Stranding 2, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Ghost of Yotei, and the aforementioned DK Bonanza.
Historic precedent suggests total domination across all major awards is rare. Baldur’s Gate 3 accomplished the feat by winning GOTY at The Game Awards, DICE, GDC, BAFTA, and Golden Joysticks in 2023-2024. But most years see awards split among multiple titles, even when one game wins several categories at a single show.
The road to December
The Game Awards will be the next major test for Expedition 33‘s momentum. With its double-digit nomination haul and Golden Joystick sweep behind it, the game enters TGA with significant visibility. But the jury-heavy voting structure means critical consensus will matter more than fan enthusiasm alone.
Other ceremonies to watch include the DICE Awards, voted on by industry peers, and the GDC Awards, which focus on developer recognition. BAFTA Games Awards will close out the season in spring 2026.
