“Hollow Knight: Silksong” has officially been crowned Game of the Year at the 2025 Steam Awards, marking a major milestone for developer Team Cherry. The fan-voted award reflects years of anticipation finally paying off, as players across the globe celebrated Silksong’s refined gameplay, expanded world, and polished combat mechanics.

The Steam Awards are unique in that winners are chosen entirely by the community, making Silksong’s victory a clear signal of overwhelming player approval rather than critical consensus alone.

A Long-Awaited Release That Delivered

From years of hype to critical and commercial success

First announced as a sequel to the 2017 indie hit Hollow Knight, Silksong endured multiple delays that only intensified expectations. Upon release, the game impressed players with its faster-paced combat, deeper traversal systems, and the introduction of Hornet as a fully realized playable protagonist.

The Game of the Year win suggests that Silksong not only met expectations but exceeded them, standing tall against major AAA and indie competitors alike.

Strong Competition Across Categories

2025 Steam Awards highlight a diverse gaming year

The 2025 Steam Awards showcased a broad mix of genres, platforms, and studios. From narrative-driven RPGs to innovative live-service titles, this year’s winners underline how diverse the PC gaming ecosystem has become.

Notably, several indie and mid-budget games performed strongly across multiple categories, reinforcing the growing influence of smaller studios in an industry once dominated by blockbuster releases.

Full List of Steam Awards 2025 Winners

• Game of the Year: Hollow Knight: Silksong

• VR Game of the Year: Half-Life: Alyx – Nexus Update

• Labor of Love Award: Cyberpunk 2077

• Better With Friends Award: Lethal Company

• Outstanding Visual Style: Black Myth: Wukong

• Most Innovative Gameplay: Satisfactory

• Best Game You Suck At: Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

• Best Soundtrack: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

• Outstanding Story-Rich Game: Baldur’s Gate 3

• Sit Back and Relax Award: Stardew Valley

(Winners are based on community voting conducted on Steam during the annual awards period.)

What This Win Means for Indie Games

A landmark moment for independent developers

Silksong’s victory sends a powerful message: indie titles can still dominate in a market crowded with high-budget releases. With minimal marketing compared to major publishers, Team Cherry relied almost entirely on word of mouth and player trust.