Each year, the Steam Awards gather input from the global gaming community, allowing players to vote for their favorite titles across an array of categories. The 2025 winners highlight the industry’s varied landscape, reflecting both emerging favorites and enduring classics. As anticipation for new releases builds, these awards provide a snapshot of current trends and the games resonating most with audiences. Many users see the Steam Awards as a marker for trends in player preferences, making its results an interesting reference for players looking for their next experience.
Earlier Steam Awards often saw strong competition from blockbuster titles and recurring franchises, whereas this year demonstrates a more balanced recognition between indie productions and major studio releases. The introduction of nominations without ownership requirements and multiple category entries have broadened participation and diversified the results. Notably, longstanding titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 continue to capture attention, unlike previous years when new releases dominated most categories.
Which Games Earned Top Honors?
Hollow Knight: Silksong clinched the coveted Game of the Year award, signaling ongoing enthusiasm for the Metroidvania genre. It also received acknowledgment in the Best Game You Suck At category, illustrating both the challenge it presents and its enduring popularity. Other notable winners include Hades 2 for Best Game on Steam Deck and Dispatch for Outstanding Story-Rich Game. These selections reflect the eclectic tastes of the gaming community.
What Surprised Developers This Year?
Many were surprised when Baldur’s Gate 3 claimed the Labor of Love award, given its original release over a decade ago. Larian Studios expressed their astonishment, highlighting the game’s ongoing support and community engagement.
“It’s truly unexpected, and we’re grateful for the continued appreciation from players,”
a spokesperson from Larian commented. This incident reinforces how support and updates for classic titles can still lead to recognition even long after launch.
Are There New Trends in Award Voting?
This cycle permitted users to nominate games regardless of whether they own them, which opened up voting to a broader audience. In addition, games could be nominated across multiple categories, allowing titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to take home the Best Soundtrack award without winning other roles. Valve sees this as a positive direction:
“We want as many voices to be heard as possible during voting,”
they stated. The expanded accessibility may help explain the wider range of genres and studios represented among the winners.
Looking at the spread of winners, several trends become evident: the community’s appreciation for innovative gameplay, visual artistry, and engaging narratives. Highlights from this year, like Arc Raiders being recognized for Most Innovative Gameplay and Silent Hill F for Outstanding Visual Style, show a persistent interest in production quality and originality. The increased inclusivity in voting also allows niche titles to gain exposure, suggesting that audience engagement continues to drive recognition more than industry hype.
These results offer valuable perspective for both players and developers. Anyone searching for new games to try or wishing to understand where the market’s interests lie can find insight in the Steam Awards. The balance between major franchises and lesser-known games emphasizes the broad appeal and diversity in player taste. Developers observing these outcomes are likely to recognize the merit in sustaining a dedicated player base and continually updating their titles. Meanwhile, gamers interested in standout experiences—be it challenging gameplay, compelling stories, or immersive soundtracks—can look to this year’s honorees as a meaningful starting point for discovery.
