Valve officially announced the winners of the 2025 Steam Awards on January 4th (local time). The awards ceremony was entirely voted on by Steam users, with the final voting period taking place from December 18th to January 3rd.
Indie game Hollow Knight: Silksong wins Game of the Year award.
The most notable achievement was the Game of the Year award for Hollow Knight: Silksong, a Metroidvania game developed by Australian indie developer Team Cherry. Building on the success of its predecessor, Hollow Knight, Silksong became one of the most popular games on Steam upon its 2025 release after a lengthy development period.
Silksong won both “Game of the Year” and “Best Game You Suck At,” becoming the only game to win both awards. It was praised for its immersive gameplay, polished character design, and addictive mechanics.
An awards ceremony that highlights the advancement of indie games.
One of the most interesting aspects of the 2025 Steam Awards is that indie games overwhelmingly won more awards than major AAA titles. It’s noteworthy that, compared to previous years, there were almost no classic AAA titles.
Best Game on Steam Deck – Hades 2
Hades 2, a roguelike action game from independent developer Supergiant Games, won this category. It’s one of the highest-rated games on Steam in 2025, boasting an overwhelmingly positive 95-96% rating. Optimized for portable play, it’s been a favorite among Steam Deck users.
Better With Friends – PEAK
The online multiplayer game “Peak” won an award, demonstrating the appeal of cooperative play that captivated gamers throughout 2025. Its gameplay, optimized for enjoyment with friends, received high praise.
Sit Back and Relax – RV There Yet?
“Album There Yet?”, offering a casual multiplayer experience, won this category. It showcased the essence of casual gaming with its comfortable and fun gameplay.
VR Game of the Year – The Midnight Walk
“The Midnight Walk,” which pushes the boundaries of virtual reality beyond mere imitation of reality, won the VR category. Its unique VR experience left a lasting impression on players.
A game with an overwhelming story (Outstanding Story-Rich Game) – Dispatch
“Dispatch,” which captivated gamers with its narrative-driven gameplay, won the Story category. Its deep narrative and immersive storytelling were acclaimed.
AAA titles also show their presence
Even amidst the rise of indie games, some blockbuster titles still maintain a strong presence.
Outstanding Visual Style – Silent Hill f
‘Silent Hill F’, which received high praise for its visual perfection, won the Visual Style category.
Best Soundtrack – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Claire Obscur: Expedition 33, which garnered attention by sweeping nine categories at the 2025 Game Awards, won the Best Soundtrack award at the Steam Awards. Even months later, the rich and beautiful music remains etched in players’ memories.
Labor of Love – Baldur’s Gate 3
Larian Studios’ 2023 CRPG Baldur’s Gate III won this category. Its dedicated support for the community, including ongoing updates and the release of a native Steam Deck version, was highly praised.
The innovation category was won by a Korean game.
Most Innovative Gameplay – ARC Raiders
Nexon’s “Ark Raiders” won the award for “Innovative Gameplay,” proving its competitiveness in the global market. It was recognized for its innovative approach to the shooter genre.
The advent of the indie game era
The 2025 Steam Awards clearly demonstrated how much the status of indie games has risen in the gaming industry. It was an awards ceremony that proved that we have entered an era where creativity, gameplay, and communication with gamers are more important than the financial power of major studios.
Valve will send physical trophies to the winning developers’ offices, and virtual trophies will be displayed on the game’s homepage. The full list of winners and details can be found on the official Steam website.
The 2025 Steam Awards were held across 11 categories, and the winning titles in all categories are currently available for purchase at a discounted price during the Winter Sale.
