Hollow Knight: Silksong finally wins a GOTY over Expedition 33

GAMING NEWS Fyra Frost - Jan 6, 2026, 10:30 AM

The Steam community has spoken: Hollow Knight: Silksong, the long-awaited sequel from Team Cherry, has been voted Game of the Year in the 2025 Steam Awards. Praised for its intricate platforming, atmospheric world, and challenging combat, Silksong captured the hearts of PC gamers worldwide, topping a highly competitive field of nominees. The game also earned the playful Best Game You Suck At award, highlighting both its difficulty and the satisfaction players feel upon mastering its mechanics.

The Steam Awards, entirely driven by user votes, provide a unique perspective on gaming trends. Unlike juried industry awards, these honors reflect the preferences and passions of the player community, making them a valuable barometer of what resonates with gamers on Steam.

And what about Expedition 33?

Beyond Silksong, the 2025 awards recognized excellence across a wide array of genres and experiences. The Midnight Walk was named VR Game of the Year, while Hades II received the Best Game on Steam Deck accolade for its seamless performance on handheld devices. Baldur’s Gate III was celebrated with the Labor of Love award, acknowledging its continued updates and strong developer support.

Multiplayer experiences were recognized as well, with Peak winning Better With Friends, while narrative-driven games like Dispatch took home Outstanding Story-Rich Game. Silent Hill f earned Outstanding Visual Style, and ARC Raiders captured Most Innovative Gameplay, illustrating the community's appreciation for creativity and distinct design. Meanwhile, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was recognized for its outstanding Soundtrack, and more casual experiences like RV There Yet? won Sit Back and Relax, demonstrating the diversity of games valued by Steam users.

Interestingly, the Steam Awards sometimes diverge from other major ceremonies. While titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 received critical acclaim and multiple awards elsewhere, the community-driven Game of the Year went to Silksong, underscoring the unique voice of Steam players.

The 2025 Steam Awards showcase the games that truly resonated with PC gamers this year, celebrating everything from challenging adventures to innovative gameplay and heartfelt storytelling. Remember that you can purchase all those games and more at the best price with our price comparison tool.