The 2025 Steam Awards are in, and the results say a lot about what Steam players value in their games. From punishing challenges to old-school classics, story-heavy adventures, and even cozy, relaxing games, the 2025 Steam Awards winners show what players were really going with this year.
You have got the hand-drawn perfection of Hollow Knight: Silksong, the enduring charm of Baldur’s Gate, or the chill vibes of RV There Yet?. These awards are not just about who came out on top, but they are a peek at what kinds of games people actually love playing.
Game of the Year – Hollow Knight: Silksong
Players clearly fell in love with Hollow Knight: Silksong this year, and it is no surprise that it got Game of the Year. Tight combat, gorgeous art, and that perfect mix of challenge and exploration made it a no-brainer.
Best Game You Suck At – Hollow Knight: Silksong
Silksong also won Best Game You Suck At, and that honestly just proves players love getting kicked in the most satisfying way possible. That feeling when you finally beat something impossible is pure joy, and Silksong does an incredible job with this.
VR Game of the Year – The Midnight Walk
For VR players, The Midnight Walk really nailed it. It is not just a flat game shoved into VR, but it actually uses the space, the mechanics, and the immersion in a way that feels new and fun.
Labor of Love – Baldur’s Gate
Some games earn love over years, not just hours. Baldur’s Gate took Labor of Love for all the updates, content, and care the devs have kept giving. Players notice, and they reward it.
Best Game on Steam Deck – Hades II
Portability matters too. Hades II looks and plays amazing on the Steam Deck, and that makes it a perfect pick for handheld fun. Smooth, replayable, and just plain fun anywhere.
Better With Friends – PEAK
Some games are just better with a friend (or five). PEAK took Better With Friends, showing that chaos, teamwork, betrayal, or just goofing around with friends still hits the sweet spot.
Outstanding Visual Style – Silent Hill f
Visuals still matter as well, of course. Silent Hill f won Outstanding Visual Style, proving that a strong, unique look can leave just as much of an impression as gameplay.
Most Innovative Gameplay – ARC Raiders
ARC Raiders players can finally breathe, it won an award! ARC Raiders won Most Innovative Gameplay, with mechanics and ideas that feel new and exciting instead of “been there, done that.”
Best Soundtrack – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Good music matters. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 takes Best Soundtrack, showing that when a game makes you feel through sound, people notice.
Outstanding Story-Rich Game – Dispatch
Story still counts as well. Dispatch won for its narrative, characters, and emotional moments! Players love games that can hit them in the feels, and where their choices actually matter, and Dispatch does that quite well.
Sit Back and Relax – RV There Yet?
And yes, people still love to chill. RV There Yet? took Sit Back and Relax, proving that sometimes the most-loved games are the ones that let you unwind.
All together, the 2025 Steam Awards show that players love a mix of challenge, long-term support, story, and cool visuals, but also fun, social moments, and relaxing adventures. It is the kind of variety that makes playing games worth it.
Looking at these winners, you can already start guessing what 2026 might bring. Challenging games like Silksong will still capture attention, long-term support like Baldur’s Gate will keep people engaged, and new, creative ideas will get plenty of love. Players also clearly still appreciate story, style, and those chill, cozy explorations.
Basically, 2026 is going to be a year for games that can mix depth, creativity, and accessibility, the kind you actually want to play, not just read about.
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