The winners of the 2025 Steam Awards were officially revealed in early January 2026, with results determined by millions of votes cast by the Steam community during the platform’s Winter Sale. The awards highlight the titles that resonated most with players across a range of categories from storytelling and innovation to platform-specific play and artistic achievement.
Hollow Knight: Silksong Dominates Community Voting
The standout title of the 2025 Steam Awards was Hollow Knight: Silksong, which claimed the prestigious Game of the Year award from among strong competition. The game also secured the Best Game You Suck At award, underscoring both its popularity and challenging gameplay that players embraced throughout the year.
Recognition Across Diverse Categories
The Steam Awards span multiple categories that reflect different aspects of player preferences and game design. Among this year’s notable winners:
VR Game Of The Year
The Midnight Walk — A virtual reality experience that captured the community’s imagination and stood out among finalists in the VR category.
Labor Of Love
Baldur’s Gate 3 — Recognized for its enduring appeal and ongoing support, this long-running RPG was honored in the Labor of Love category.
Best Game On Steam Deck
Hades II — The sequel to the acclaimed roguelike secured this award, highlighting its strong performance and suitability on handheld hardware.
Better With Friends
PEAK — This cooperative title won the award focused on shared multiplayer experiences, reflecting the community’s enthusiasm for games enjoyed with others.
Outstanding Visual Style
Silent Hill f — Players voted this horror title as having the most distinctive and compelling visual presentation of the year.
Most Innovative Gameplay
ARC Raiders — Recognized for its creative mechanics, this game took home the award celebrating gameplay innovation.
Best Soundtrack
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — The game’s music was selected as the year’s best soundtrack, standing out among strong audio contenders.
Outstanding Story-Rich Game
Dispatch — This narrative-driven title earned recognition for its storytelling and immersive plot.
Sit Back And Relax
RV There Yet? — A lighter, more relaxing experience was honoured in this category celebrating games suited for unwinding.
What The Results Mean For Players
The 2025 Steam Awards reflect active community engagement and diverse tastes across genres and game styles. From challenging action adventures and immersive RPGs to innovative multiplayer and VR experiences, the winners highlight titles that made a significant impact with players throughout the year.
These awards also serve as recommendations for players looking to explore standout games from the past year, offering a snapshot of what resonated most with the platform’s global audience.
