Golden Lance Award for Character of the Year
This award is centered less on cultural relevance and more on characters within the stories told in games. And in 2025, the stories told to us were very powerful, with some of the strongest characters within video games doing so much to convey themes and messages told in narratives we love.
So when deciding the winner of this award, it was between three characters within a single game, and even that sparked some debate. With that said, here are the winners of Lords of Gaming’s 2025 Golden Lance Award for Best Character.
Character of the Year – Verso from Expedition 33
Expedition 33 excels not only in gameplay and storytelling but also in its outstanding voice cast. The game features a stellar lineup, including Charlie Cox as Gustave and Jennifer English as Maelle, both of whom deliver memorable performances. Every member of the cast leaves a lasting impression throughout the story, especially during emotionally charged moments—most notably a major death near the end of the first act.
Despite the consistently strong performances across the board, one character stood out above the rest. Ben Starr’s portrayal of Verso is particularly exceptional. His deep voice and somber delivery perfectly convey the weight of the character’s inner conflict, elevating powerful lines such as, “Life keeps forcing cruel choices.”
