2025 Steam Awards winners have been revealed

I'm really disconnected from the games on the list – my recent purchases were Balatro and DLCs for games that I've previously had, i.e. all the 3rd party licensed ones for Vampire Survivors, Greece for ETS2, Arkansas and a cargo one for ATS.

Yep, as others have said, this feels like a slightly disappointing awards. I'm not doubting that the games listed are good in various ways, but I don't feel particularly connected to nearly any of them! I played a bit of Clair Obscur and I think it probably deserved more than just Best Soundtrack, but otherwise, there's hardly a game on that list that interests me.

Is it me? No, it's the kids that are wrong.

EDIT: I'll take it one step further. Here's my version of the awards... all games I've played extensively, and no repeats (so each game can only win one award).

Do I play too many games? No. No, I don't.

Game of the Year - [Avowed](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2457220/Avowed/?curator_clanid=4777282)
VR Game of the Year - (I didn't play any!)
Labor of Love - [Mortal Sin](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1494810/Mortal_Sin/)
Best Game on Steam Deck - [Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2321470/Deep_Rock_Galactic_Survivor/)
Better With Friends - [Deadzone: Rogue](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3228590/Deadzone_Rogue/?curator_clanid=4777282)
Outstanding Visual Style - [No Rest for the Wicked](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1371980/No_Rest_for_the_Wicked/)
Most Innovative Gameplay - [Jump Space](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1757300/Jump_Space/?curator_clanid=4777282)
Best Game You Suck At - [Section 13](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2111870/Section_13/?curator_clanid=4777282)
Best Soundtrack - [Clair Obsur: Expedition 33](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1903340/Clair_Obscur_Expedition_33/?curator_clanid=4777282)
Outstanding Story-Rich Game - [Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1466060/Tainted_Grail_The_Fall_of_Avalon/)
Sit Back and Relax - [Monster Train 2](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2742830/Monster_Train_2/)

Last edited by scaine on 5 Jan 2026 at 1:51 pm UTC

Quoting: scaineIs it me? No, it's the kids that are wrong.

There is no right or wrong (in this case). It's too subjective.

My list.

Game of the Year: Kingdom Come Deliverance II
Most Innovative Gameplay: ARC Raiders
Labor of Love: Witchfire (Though its still in Early Access)
Best Soundtrack: Tainted Grail: The Fall Of Avalon

Haven't really played much new releases in 2025. Too much of backlog to play.

Jump Space and Deadzone:Rogue are in my wishlist, so probably will get around to play them this year.

For once I actually played most of the games on the list. It's very positive that almost all games are indie and not AAA.

Silksong was an experience to play. Looking forward to the DLC unless that one also develop into it's own game just because Team Cheery can't stop themselves ;) Both Peak and RV there yet have been a blast with friends. Baldurs Gate 3 have gotten classes, cut scenes and even a Linux port since release. I haven't finished Dispatch yet but the story is interesting. I will get around to Clair Obscur, Arc Raiders, Hades II and Silent Hill f at some point. If I can only stop playing Path of Exile 2...

Quoting: BrokattFor once I actually played most of the games on the list. It's very positive that almost all games are indie and not AAA.

Silksong was an experience to play. Looking forward to the DLC unless that one also develop into it's own game just because Team Cheery can't stop themselves ;) Both Peak and RV there yet have been a blast with friends. Baldurs Gate 3 have gotten classes, cut scenes and even a Linux port since release. I haven't finished Dispatch yet but the story is interesting. I will get around to Clair Obscur, Arc Raiders, Hades II and Silent Hill f at some point. If I can only stop playing Path of Exile 2...

One does not simply stop playing Path of Exile 2...

Quoting: scaine

Quoting: BrokattFor once I actually played most of the games on the list. It's very positive that almost all games are indie and not AAA.

Silksong was an experience to play. Looking forward to the DLC unless that one also develop into it's own game just because Team Cheery can't stop themselves ;) Both Peak and RV there yet have been a blast with friends. Baldurs Gate 3 have gotten classes, cut scenes and even a Linux port since release. I haven't finished Dispatch yet but the story is interesting. I will get around to Clair Obscur, Arc Raiders, Hades II and Silent Hill f at some point. If I can only stop playing Path of Exile 2...

One does not simply stop playing Path of Exile 2...

You said it. Although I have promised myself to stop when No Rest for the Wicked releases their co-op update. Maybe I will manage to get to Arbiter by then? :) I love Poe2 but as it stands it's simply not a good multiplayer experience.

Quoting: BrokattYou said it. Although I have promised myself to stop when No Rest for the Wicked releases their co-op update. Maybe I will manage to get to Arbiter by then? :) I love Poe2 but as it stands it's simply not a good multiplayer experience.

I really enjoyed the last fortnight of playing No Rest for the Wicked with my two best pals. Gutted that we have to wait two weeks for the official multiplayer release, but it's a small price considering how mind blowing the game is.

In the meanwhile, back to Path of Exile 2!!