It was assumed that in the voting of players, and not industry experts, the historical RPG from Warhorse studio would still receive recognition. This did not happen: the game did not win in any category, including "Game of the Year" and "Outstanding Story." As a result, many observers called KCDII the "biggest loser" of the past year.
A more restrained part of the community notes that commercial success and quality do not always lead to victories in mass votes. Reddit users believe that KCDII is too hardcore to compete with more accessible projects, despite good sales and high ratings.
The Warhorse project, focused on harsh realism and specific mechanics, is often compared to early FromSoftware games. This is a product for connoisseurs of history and challenging gameplay, which may be difficult for a wide audience.
The results of the Steam Awards 2025 caused a surge of toxicity: conspiracy theories and attacks on the winners, including Silksong and Dispatch, appeared on the forums. Other players called for calm, reminding that the nomination for "Game of the Year" itself has already become a serious recognition.