The 2025 Steam Awards have surprised many in the gaming community with their intriguing outcomes. Valve announced the winners, and against all expectations, the highly anticipated Metroidvania sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong, triumphed as Game of the Year. This victory was unexpected by fans and industry experts alike who had favored Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to claim the title. Despite its significant acclaim, Sandfall Interactive’s turn-based JRPG was outshined in this particular category.
A Surprising Turn in Game of the Year
Reports suggest that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has achieved remarkable recognition, already claiming the third most GOTY awards in history, just behind Elden Ring and The Last of Us Part II. Yet, in a surprising twist, Steam users voted overwhelmingly in favor of Team Cherry’s Hollow Knight: Silksong as their preferred release from last year. Although Valve keeps the voting percentages a mystery, the result speaks for itself.
Hollow Knight: Silksong also wins the ‘Best Game You Suck At’ award, highlighting its challenging nature, outmatching titles like Path of Exile II and Elden Ring Nightreign.
Diverse Winners Across Categories
While Hollow Knight: Silksong took home the top honors, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 did not go unrecognized, clinching the award for best soundtrack. Other notable winners include:
- The Midnight Walk – VR Game of the Year Award
- Baldur’s Gate III – Labor of Love Award (for a game supported well long past its launch date)
- Hades II – Best Game on Steam Deck Award
- Peak – Better With Friends Award
- Silent Hill f – Outstanding Visual Style Award
- ARC Raiders – Most Innovative Gameplay Award
- Dispatch – Outstanding Story Rich Award
- RV There Yet? – Sit Back and Relax Award
The Indie Spirit Shines
In what has been described as “the year of the indie-ish,” the 2025 Steam Awards reflect the growing influence of independent developers in the gaming industry. Which game captured your vote? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below!