Steam users have spoken, and the verdict for 2025 is clear. Hollow Knight: Silksong has won Steam's Game of the Year award, marking the end of a year where it dominated player discussion and engagement on the platform.
The victory was not a walkover. Silksong defeated several heavily decorated titles, including Chiaroscuro: Campaign 33 And blue princeBoth took top honors elsewhere in 2025. While Expedition 33 had already taken out major industry awards, Steam voters finally rallied behind Silksong's demanding combat, deep exploration, and long-awaited arrival.
Silksong was the only game to take home more than one Steam Award this year, winning both Game of the Year and tongue-in-cheek. best game you like Social class.
Other major Steam Award winners
While Silksong led the night, Steam's community spread recognition across genres and studios.
- vr game of the year gone to midnight walkRacing and beating shooter heavyweights.
- labor of love was awarded baldur's gate 3Which shows continued appreciation for post-launch updates and long-term support.
- Best Games on Steam Deck was claimed by Hades 2Cementing its reputation as one of the most portable-friendly releases of the year.
- better with friends gone to braidHighlighted Steam's ongoing focus on social games.
- excellent visual style was awarded silent hill fRecognized for its striking and unsettling art direction.
- Latest Gameplay landed with ARC AttackerWhich was also runner-up for Game of the Year.
- Best Soundtrack gone to Chiaroscuro: Campaign 33Ensuring that the rewards do not go away empty handed.
- Excellent story-rich game was awarded dispatch,
- sit back and relax gone to RV there yet?,
What does this say about Steam's audience
The 2025 Steam Awards again highlighted how different player-driven voting can be from juried industry shows. Challenging gameplay, long-term support and replay value matter more than mere spectacle. Indie and medium-sized studios were well represented, while long-running titles also continued to earn recognition years after release.
Silksong's double win reinforces another pattern: Steam users reward games that demand mastery and keep players coming back, even if frustration is part of the experience.
The full list of winners is now live on Steam, ending another year where the platform's community has made its priorities abundantly clear.
