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‘Hollow Knight: Silksong’ has claimed the coveted Game of the Year title at the 2025 Steam Awards, completing a remarkable double after also winning the Best Game You Suck At category in Valve Corp’s annual user-voted honours.
The long-awaited sequel from Australian indie studio Team Cherry was released last year after an extended development cycle and quickly became one of the platform’s most-played titles, praised for its demanding combat, intricate world-building and polished design.
Voting for the awards took place during Steam’s winter sale, with millions of users casting ballots across 11 categories from December 18 to January3. Any non-limited account holder could take part and change selections until the deadline.
‘Silksong’ faced strong competition in the main category from finalists ‘ARC Raiders’, ‘Clair Obscur: ‘Expedition 33’, ‘Dispatch’ and ‘Kingdom Come: Deliverance II’. Its twin victory made it the only title to secure two awards this year, underscoring its global popularity.
Many in the gaming community had tipped ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ for the Game of the Year award after success at other ceremonies. While it missed out on the top prize, the title did win Best Soundtrack for what voters saw as a standout musical score.
‘ARC Raiders’ was named Most Innovative Gameplay, with users recognising its experimental mechanics and fresh design approach. Baldur’s ‘Gate 3’ won the Labour of Love award for sustained developer support well after release, edging out ‘Helldivers II’, ‘No Man’s Sky’, ‘Rust’ and ‘Dota 2’.
Platform-specific awards saw ‘Hades II’ voted Best Game on Steam Deck, while The ‘Midnight Walk’ was chosen as VR Game of the Year. ‘Silent Hill f’ collected Outstanding Visual Style for its distinctive presentation and atmosphere across story and environment.
‘Dispatch’ won Outstanding Story-Rich Game for narrative depth, ‘Peak’ was named Better With Friends for multiplayer play, and ‘RV There Yet?’ secured the Sit Back and Relax award aimed at lower-stress, comfort-focused experiences.
Finalists in each category were shortlisted through earlier community nominations, with titles eligible for platform awards alongside up to two additional categories. Physical trophies will be shipped to studios, with virtual versions now appearing on Steam store pages.
The results mark the close of weeks of voting and underline the continued influence of player choice on Valve’s platform, where user sentiment, rather than jury panels or critics, ultimately determines which games rise to the top each year.
