If critics bowed down to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, PC gamers had other plans. In a twist that proves the power of a passionate fanbase, Valve announced that Hollow Knight: Silksong is the winner of the Game of the Year (GOTY) award at the 2025 Steam Awards.
The victory is significant because the Steam system is based 100% on popular vote. While Clair Obscur dominated critic awards (surpassing even the records of Baldur’s Gate 3 and Elden Ring), in the heart of the community, Team Cherry’s long-awaited sequel reigned supreme.
Not Just Beautiful, But Brutal
Beyond the top prize, Silksong also took home the trophy for “Best Game You Suck At,” confirming that the series’ signature brutal difficulty remains intact and beloved. It beat out heavy hitters in the category like Path of Exile II and Elden Ring: Nightreign.
Valve’s Other Champions
Although it missed out on the main award, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 didn’t leave empty-handed, securing the award for Best Soundtrack, a fair recognition for its epic atmosphere.
2025 was undeniably the year of indies and creativity. Check out the other highlights of the ceremony:
- Best Game on Steam Deck: Hades II
- Labor of Love: Baldur’s Gate III
- Better With Friends: Peak
- Outstanding Visual Style: Silent Hill f
- Most Innovative Gameplay: ARC Raiders
- Best Story-Rich Game: Dispatch
- VR Game of the Year: The Midnight Walk
The Steam Awards results reaffirm: 2025 was the year independent studios didn’t just compete with, but outperformed major AAA productions in public preference.
EN 
PT 
ES