Steam Awards 2025: Silksong Wins Game of the Year & Hades II Review

THE SILKSONG SWEEP: WHY THE 2025 STEAM AWARDS WERE NEVER IN DOUBT

Let's be honest, the 2025 Steam Awards results are finally in, and Hollow Knight: Silksong snagged Game of the Year. Big shocker, right? If you have been anywhere near a computer since Silksong’s September release—an event so massive it caused a near-meltdown of Steam's distribution servers—you would have seen this coming from a mile away. The internet has been gushing over this game for months, and frankly, I am right there with them. But while the victory lap is well-deserved, Silksong’s dominance raises a very practical question for those looking to buy gifts for the gamers in their lives: Is the most popular game actually the best one to buy?

It is worth noting that Valve also handed out an award for Best Game You Suck At, and Silksong won that, too. This is not just a joke for the community; it is a vital piece of consumer information. While Game of the Year is a badge of honor, it does not always translate to a universally accessible experience. Before you hit purchase, we need to look at what this game actually is and what else defined the gaming landscape of 2025.

THE BRUTAL TRUTH OF THE BEST GAME YOU SUCK AT

When a game wins an award for being difficult, non-gamers might wonder why that is a selling point. Silksong is a masterclass in two specific sub-genres: the Metroidvania and the Soulslike. For the uninitiated, a Metroidvania means the game world is a giant, interconnected map where you have to unlock new abilities to reach new areas. The Soulslike element refers to the combat style—it is rhythmic, punishing, and requires high levels of precision.

In Silksong, players are expected to die. A lot. The "frustration-reward loop" is the core of the experience: you fail at a boss fight twenty times, learn the patterns, and finally succeed on the twenty-first attempt. It provides a massive dopamine hit for a certain type of player, but for someone looking for a relaxing way to unwind after work, it can feel like a second job. If you are buying for a "completionist" who loves a deep challenge, Silksong is the gold standard. If your giftee prefers narrative-driven experiences or cozy simulators, this might be a gift that sits unplayed in their digital library.

HADES II AND THE STEAM DECK: A MATCH MADE IN HANDHELD HEAVEN

While Silksong was busy cleaning up the overall awards, Hades II scooped up the win for Best Game on Steam Deck. This is an award I can fully get behind, and frankly, we at Gimmie AI had already unofficially crowned it months ago.

Hades II is a roguelike, meaning the game is built around "runs." You start a quest, get as far as you can, die, and use the resources you found to get stronger for the next attempt. This structure is practically tailor-made for the Steam Deck. It is perfect for "pick-up-and-play" sessions, whether that’s a twenty-minute commute or lounging on the couch while the TV is occupied.

The technical synergy here is the real story. On the Steam Deck OLED, Hades II looks phenomenal. The game’s vibrant, neon-drenched art style benefits immensely from the OLED’s deep blacks and high contrast. Furthermore, the 90Hz refresh rate of the newer Steam Deck models makes the fast-paced combat feel buttery smooth. The responsiveness of the controls on the handheld is so precise that it often feels like the superior way to play compared to a traditional desktop setup. If you are buying for a Steam Deck owner, Hades II is the safest, most rewarding bet of the year.

BEYOND THE HEADLINERS: THE 2025 INDIE BREAKOUTS

It is easy to get lost in the Game of the Year discussions, but Steam’s ecosystem is vast. While Silksong and Hades II are the giants, 2025 brought us some incredible indie gems that offer different vibes entirely. We have moved past the era where Stardew Valley and Celeste were the only recommendations worth making.

This year, games like The Plucky Squire and Hyper Light Breaker have redefined what small-team development can achieve. The Plucky Squire, specifically, is a fantastic alternative for someone who wants the adventure of a game like Silksong but with a much more approachable difficulty curve and a charming, creative art style that jumps between 2D and 3D.

If the person you are buying for enjoys cooperative play, 2025’s breakout co-op hits have shown that gaming is often better with friends. Looking for games with "Overwhelmingly Positive" recent reviews on Steam is a great way to find these community-verified hits. Don’t feel pressured to buy the big-name winner if your friend’s play history is full of low-stress strategy games or colorful platformers.

THE GIFTING BLUEPRINT: HARDWARE TO MATCH THE SOFTWARE

If you do decide to go with a heavyweight title like Silksong, you can elevate the gift by pairing it with the right hardware. A game built on atmosphere and precision demands peripherals that can keep up.

For Silksong, audio is everything. The game uses subtle sound cues to telegraph enemy attacks, and the orchestral score is half the experience. I highly recommend the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 headset for this. Its soundstage is specifically tuned for spatial awareness, allowing players to hear exactly where an enemy is lunging from. Plus, its dual-wireless feature allows the user to stay connected to their PC while also being synced to their phone—meaning they won't miss a call during a high-stakes boss fight.

If you are leaning toward the Steam Deck route, don't just stop at the game. A high-quality protective case or a faster microSD card (like the SanDisk Extreme series) is a practical addition that any handheld gamer will appreciate. These games are getting larger, and "storage anxiety" is a real thing for Steam Deck users.

FINAL VERDICT: LOOK PAST THE TROPHY

So, did Silksong win Game of the Year? Yes. Was it a surprise? Not in the slightest. And while it is a phenomenal achievement and a testament to Team Cherry's dedication, remember that awards are subjective and don’t dictate personal preference.

When you are on the hunt for the perfect gaming gift, look beyond the headlines. Consider the recipient’s habits. Are they the type to spend four hours mastering a single fight, or do they want to squeeze in a quick run of Hades II before bed? Do they have the hardware to actually enjoy the game’s technical peaks?

Whether it is the brutally beautiful world of Silksong, the addictive loop of Hades II, or a hidden indie gem from the 2025 roster, the best gift is always the one that fits the player, not the one that won the trophy. Happy gifting!