Bloody Hell, Silksong Actually Did It: 2025 Steam Awards Drop Some Wild Results!
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
The 2025 Steam Awards have dropped, and in a massive player-voted landslide, *Hollow Knight: Silksong* claimed Game of the Year, alongside *Arc Raiders* winning Most Innovative Gameplay and *Silent Hill f* snagging Outstanding Visuals, highlighting the power of community choice over traditional hype.
Right, so I've been sifting through the digital tea leaves this morning, and the 2025 Steam Award winners just got announced. And let me tell ya, mate, it’s wilder than a rogue spell in a crowded tavern. After a whopping 43.8 million player votes – which, let's be fair, is more votes than some small countries get in an actual election – the results are in, and they're a delightful mix of the expected, the surprising, and the 'wait, *that* won?'
First off, let's address the elephant in the room, or perhaps, the tiny, nail-wielding insect: *Hollow Knight: Silksong* snagged the coveted Game of the Year. And honestly, after what felt like an eternity of anticipation (I swear, I started growing a beard waiting for that one), it just *feels* right, doesn't it? Team Cherry's sequel, a game we've collectively yearned for, not only finally landed but immediately conquered. It beat some serious contenders too, like *Arc Raiders*, *Dispatch*, *Kingdom Come Deliverance 2*, and the rather intriguing *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33*. It's almost like the gaming gods decided to reward our patience with pure, unadulterated excellence. A genuine triumph of indie development hitting the big leagues, reminding us that sometimes, the longest-awaited sagas are indeed the most rewarding. It's a testament to the power of community buzz and the sheer, undeniable quality that Team Cherry consistently delivers. No fancy PR needed, just a brilliant game finally unleashed.
Now, while Silksong's triumph feels like the universe course-correcting after years of 'is it out yet?', other categories brought their own flavour of chaos and charm. *Silent Hill f*, for instance, waltzed away with the Outstanding Visual Style Award. And if you've seen anything from that game, you'd know why – it's got that delightful blend of beautiful horror, a true masterclass in atmosphere and design. Makes you wonder what kind of eldritch energies they tapped into to make it look so good.
Then there's *Arc Raiders*, a game that's clearly been doing some magical work behind the scenes. Not only was it Steam's biggest-selling game over the holiday period (massive shoutout to SteamDB for that juicy intel, showing it beat out *Battlefield 6* and *Clair Obscur* in revenue), but it also nabbed the Most Innovative Gameplay Award. This is where my gently skeptical eyebrow raises a touch. "Most Innovative," eh? That's a bold claim, often used by marketing departments like a 'cure-all' potion. But for a game to both sell like hotcakes *and* be genuinely innovative in the eyes of players? That's a rare beast, a mythical creature in the gaming ecosystem. It suggests they've actually delivered something fresh rather than just repackaging old ideas with a shiny new coat. I'm genuinely curious to poke around in that game and see what sorcery they're brewing.
Meanwhile, *Hades 2* scoring Best Game on Steam Deck? Honestly, that just makes sense. The original *Hades* was basically built for that handheld experience, and its sequel clearly understands the assignment. It's like finding a perfectly balanced staff – it just feels right in your hands. And speaking of narrative journeys, *Dispatch* secured the Outstanding Story-Rich Game Award. Always good to see a game that truly weaves a compelling tale get its due, proving that pixels and polygons aren't worth much without a heart-wrenching (or gut-busting) story to back them up.
And let's not forget *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33* taking home Best Soundtrack. Music in games, for me, is like the subtle enchantment that binds a world together. A stellar soundtrack can elevate a good game to a truly unforgettable experience, and I reckon this one must be doing something truly special to stand out.
Other notable winners included *The Midnight Walk* for VR Game of the Year (a category that's always a bit of a wildcard, bless its heart), *Baldur's Gate 3* scooping the Labo(u)r of Love Award (which, let's be real, is just BG3 doing BG3 things and continuing to be amazing), *Peak* for Better with Friends, *Hollow Knight: Silksong* again for Best Game You Suck At (a nod to its infamous challenge, no doubt!), and *RV There Yet?* for the Sit Back and Relax Award. What a charmingly specific category, perfect for unwinding after a long day of, well, probably sucking at Silksong.
But what about the games that went home empty-handed? *Split Fiction*, *Battlefield 6*, *Where Winds Meet*, *Elden Ring: Nightreign*, and even Eurogamer's own 2025 Game of the Year, *Blue Prince*. It just goes to show you, mate, that player votes are a different beast altogether. Critics and industry insiders can sing praises all they want, but when millions of players cast their ballots, you get a much clearer picture of what truly resonated with the folks actually playing the games. It's a beautiful, chaotic democratic process.
Valve, in their typical reserved fashion, sent out a 'congrats and thanks' message, appreciating both players and developers. And honestly, it's a good sentiment. This whole event, powered by millions of player votes, truly highlights the vibrant tapestry of the gaming community. It's not just about the big-budget blockbusters anymore; it's about genuine experiences, innovative ideas, and games that capture our imaginations, regardless of pedigree. Here's to 2026, and to all the new favourite games waiting to be discovered – and rediscovered. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to see what kind of 'innovative gameplay' *Arc Raiders* is cooking up. And maybe, just maybe, I'll finally get good at *Silksong*.
Tags: Steam Awards, Hollow Knight Silksong, Arc Raiders, Gaming Industry, Player Votes
Original article: Eurogamer