And the Oscar for “Best Game Probably Played in a Dark Room” goes to Hollow Knight: Silksong! In a thrilling plot twist, this indie darling snagged the prestigious title of Game of the Year at the 2025 Steam Awards, proving once and for all that getting lost in a dark, mysterious realm is not just a hobby, it’s a lifestyle.
Voting Shenanigans
This year, the Steam Awards saw around 43.8 million votes rolling in, which is just a hair shy of the global population’s “please let me play one more game” sentiment. If a Steam account had not been placed in digital timeout by Valve, it could cast its all-important vote across a whopping eleven categories. So, no pressure, right? Each voter had one shot to ensure their favorite game snagged a shiny trophy. Who knew plumbing the depths of existential crisis could be so popular?
Lady Luck and Game of the Year
Hollow Knight: Silksong, operating under the age-old motto of “it’s not you, it’s me,” made a clean sweep, winning not only Game of the Year but also the coveted title of Best Game You Suck At. Let’s be real—just getting off the tutorial level is a Herculean task for many, and this award serves as a gentle reminder to the countless players who have experienced moments of crushing defeat. Cheers to gaming humility!
Other Serious Contenders
Meanwhile, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 must have mistaken the Steam Awards for a high school prom—because it took home the Best Soundtrack Award and probably danced its way to victory in style. Setting an all-time record at The Game Awards for most wins in a single evening, Clair Obscur is basically the prom queen of the gaming world.
Let’s Get Virtual
In the realm of VR, The Midnight Walk claimed the prestigious title of VR Game of the Year. Think walking through a virtual environment without worrying about stepping on the cat while getting “lost” in another dimension. It’s like real life, minus the obligation to wear pants.
Steam Deck Delight
Supergiant Games’ Hades 2 garnered the title of Best Game on Steam Deck. The developers have proven that dodging your way through a hellish landscape while in transit is the true definition of multitasking. Just make sure to keep it away from the snacks—gaming and crumbs don’t mix!
Traveling Down Memory Lane
Baldur’s Gate 3, which has been riding the Game of the Year wave since 2023, claimed the Labor of Love award in 2025. Apparently, the devs have been so committed to this game, they’ve practically taken it to therapy sessions and celebrated anniversaries together. Rather sweet, really, if not a little codependent.
Tailored for a Good Time
The Better With Friends award went to Peak, where players band together in a physics-based multiplayer romp to scale mountains—because nothing says “friendship” like falling together, over and over. Other honorees included Arc Raiders for Most Innovative Gameplay, Dispatch for Outstanding Story-Rich game, and RV There Yet? for the Sit Back and Relax award, giving the thumbs-up to anyone who enjoys a digital escape from reality—because who doesn’t need a break?
As the dust settles in the grand arena of pixels and critical acclaim, game enthusiasts can sit back, relax, and ponder why there are still more games to play than time in the day. And if one has to question their reality, at least it’s much more entertaining than scrolling through endless cat videos, right?
