adminHollow Knight: Silksong won Game of the Year at the 2025 Steam Awards, leading a group of winners that also included Hades 2, Dispatch and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The awards recognize games across a range of categories, from storytelling and soundtracks to multiplayer and Steam Deck play.
Image credit: Team Cherry
Hollow Knight: Silksong takes two Steam Awards
Team Cherry’s sequel to 2017’s Hollow Knight claimed two awards: Game of the Year and Best Game You Suck At. That second category recognizes games known for a steep challenge, making it a fitting distinction for players who enjoy difficult gameplay.
Silksong also drew a large audience on Steam. A day after its launch last September, the game passed half a million concurrent players, placing it among the 20 biggest Steam games ever by peak concurrent player count. Concurrent-player figures measure how many people are playing at the same time, rather than total sales or lifetime players.
Other notable 2025 Steam Awards winners
Hades 2 won Best Game on Steam Deck. During its launch weekend, the game reached 112,000 concurrent players on Steam, surpassing its earlier access peak. For players choosing a game for portable play, the award provides a useful indication of recognition in the Steam Deck category.
Dispatch received the Outstanding Story-Rich Game Award. AdHoc Studio’s title sold one million units in 10 days, according to the reported figures. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was recognized for its soundtrack, while Silent Hill F won Outstanding Visual Style and Arc Raiders took Most Innovative Gameplay.
The remaining awards highlighted different ways people play. Baldur’s Gate 3 received the Labor of Love Award, Peak won Better With Friends, and RV There Yet? earned the Sit Back and Relax Award. The Midnight Walk was named VR Game of the Year.
Full list of 2025 Steam Awards winners
- Game of the Year: Hollow Knight: Silksong (Team Cherry)
- VR Game of the Year: The Midnight Walk (MoonHood)
- Labor of Love Award: Baldur’s Gate 3 (Larian Studios)
- Best Game on Steam Deck: Hades 2 (Supergiant Games)
- Better With Friends Award: Peak (Aggro Crab/Landfall)
- Outstanding Visual Style Award: Silent Hill F (NeoBards Entertainment)
- Most Innovative Gameplay: Arc Raiders (Embark Studios)
- Best Game You Suck At: Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Soundtrack: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive)
- Outstanding Story-Rich Game Award: Dispatch (AdHoc Studio)
- Sit Back and Relax Award: RV There Yet? (Nuggets Entertainment)
What the awards mean for players
The category results offer a quick way to explore games celebrated for different strengths, but awards are only one factor when deciding what to play. Consider whether you prefer a challenging adventure, a story-focused experience, portable play or a game to enjoy with friends. Hollow Knight: Silksong’s two awards and high concurrent-player peak make it one of the standout titles of the 2025 Steam Awards.
