The Steam Awards 2025 delivered a clear picture of what resonated most with PC players throughout the year. Community voting determined every result, with users nominating titles in November before final votes were cast during the Steam Winter Sale. Each category featured five finalists, and the final winners reflect everything from innovation and storytelling to platform performance and long-term developer support. Below is a full category breakdown with winners and all runner-ups included.
Game of the Year: Hollow Knight Silksong Leads the Field
Hollow Knight: Silksong was selected as Steam’s Game of the Year for 2025, securing one of the most competitive awards on the platform. It outperformed ARC Raiders, Dispatch, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, each of which had strong cases backed by fan interest and critical recognition. Silksong’s victory reflects its sustained presence since launch and the strength of community engagement surrounding the title.
VR Game of the Year: The Midnight Walk Stands Out in Virtual Reality
The Midnight Walk earned VR Game of the Year, marking it as the standout VR release according to Steam voters. It achieved the win over Pavlov, Emissary Zero, F1 25, and Le Mans Ultimate. The result highlights how players continue to value immersive design, strong technical performance, and VR-specific gameplay execution within this category.
Labor of Love: Baldur’s Gate 3 Continues Its Momentum
Baldur’s Gate 3 secured the Labor of Love Award, given to games that maintain strong support long after release. It surpassed Helldivers 2, No Man’s Sky, Rust, and Dota 2, all of which are known for long-term updates and highly active communities. The result reinforces Baldur’s Gate 3’s ongoing relevance and Larian Studios’ continued developer commitment.
Best Game on Steam Deck: Hades 2 Dominates Portable Play
Hades 2 was voted Best Game on Steam Deck, recognized for its reliable performance, responsive controls, and handheld optimization. It placed ahead of Digimon Story: Time Stranger, Ball X Pit, CloverPit, and Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor. The category continues to highlight Steam Deck’s growing role in PC gaming, with performance and accessibility becoming defining factors for voters.
Better With Friends: Peak Wins the Cooperative Spotlight
Peak was chosen for the Better With Friends Award, earning recognition as a standout multiplayer and cooperative experience. It took the win over Battlefield 6, Split Fiction, R.E.P.O., and Schedule I. The result reflects strong social engagement, reliability in multiplayer design, and its status as one of 2025’s most-discussed co-op titles.
Outstanding Visual Style: Silent Hill f Recognized for Direction
Silent Hill f earned the Outstanding Visual Style Award, with Steam voters acknowledging its distinct artistic presentation and atmospheric identity. It won over Doom: The Dark Ages, ENA: Dream BBQ, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and My Little Puppy. The category emphasizes creative direction rather than realism, and Silent Hill f’s style clearly resonated strongly with the audience.
Most Innovative Gameplay: ARC Raiders Claims Creative Recognition
ARC Raiders received the Most Innovative Gameplay Award, signaling community approval of its mechanical design, structure, and unique gameplay systems. It ranked above Europa Universalis V, Blue Prince, Escape from Duckov, and Mage Arena. The win aligns with its strong player numbers and steady engagement throughout its release window.
Best Game You Suck At: Hollow Knight Silksong Wins Again
Hollow Knight: Silksong claimed another award by winning Best Game You Suck At, a category associated with titles defined by difficulty and rewarding progression. It triumphed over Elden Ring: Nightreign, Path of Exile: The Last of the Druids, Marvel Rivals, and Where Winds Meet. This made Silksong the only title to win multiple Steam Awards in 2025.
Best Soundtrack: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Takes Musical Honors
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 earned Best Soundtrack, recognized for its score and integration with emotional tone and gameplay rhythm. It beat Rift of the Necrodancer, Deltarune, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and Tokyo Xtreme Racer. Although it did not secure Game of the Year, this win reinforced its strong artistic presence.
Outstanding Story-Rich Game: Dispatch Leads Narrative Experiences
Dispatch was voted Outstanding Story-Rich Game, acknowledged for its writing, character-driven structure, and narrative execution. It surpassed The Last of Us Part II Remastered, Dying Light: The Beast, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and No, I’m Not a Human. The category shows continued enthusiasm for strong storytelling within the Steam ecosystem.
Sit Back and Relax: RV There Yet? Wins Casual Play Recognition
RV There Yet? received the Sit Back and Relax Award, reflecting player interest in slower-paced, low-pressure experiences. It topped Chill With You: Lo-Fi Story, Megabonk, PowerWash Simulator 2, and Slime Rancher 2. The result highlights ongoing appetite for comfort-focused gaming alongside high-intensity releases.
A Community Snapshot of 2025 on Steam
Across all eleven categories, the Steam Awards 2025 reinforced the importance of player-driven recognition. Hollow Knight: Silksong emerged as the biggest overall winner, while titles like ARC Raiders, Baldur’s Gate 3, Peak, Dispatch, Silent Hill f, and The Midnight Walk also secured meaningful recognition. Several winners already have confirmed post-award content plans, including Silksong’s upcoming Sea of Sorrow expansion in 2026. Meanwhile, Expedition 33 recently received additional late-game content through its Thank You update.
The Steam Awards remain a direct reflection of community sentiment, offering an annual snapshot of which experiences defined PC gaming for players rather than industry panels. As Steam moves forward into 2026, these results showcase the diversity and depth of the platform’s most valued titles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are Steam Awards winners decided?
Winners are chosen entirely by Steam users. Players nominate games in November, then vote during the Steam Winter Sale.
What won Steam Game of the Year 2025?
Hollow Knight: Silksong won Game of the Year and also claimed Best Game You Suck At.
Which VR title won in 2025?
The Midnight Walk was voted VR Game of the Year.
What game won Best Steam Deck Game?
Hades 2 earned Best Game on Steam Deck for its strong handheld performance.
Which title won Labor of Love?
Baldur’s Gate 3 won Labor of Love due to ongoing updates and long-term support.
Did any indie games win awards?
Yes. Several indie-developed titles earned major wins at the 2025 Steam Awards. Peak, RV There Yet?, Dispatch, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Hades 2.
Is there any Steam Award category related to web3 gaming?
No. The Steam Awards are focused on gameplay experience and community reception, not specific technology frameworks like web3.
