Famitsu has rolled out its annual poll, this time asking game developers in Japan to weigh in on their favorite title of the year, and the results are in. Traditionally, the Japanese gaming magazine crowdsources opinions from industry veterans, and it’s always a highlight for those watching the gaming landscape. Last year’s winner? The much-loved Dragon Quest 3: HD-2D Remake. Over the years, we’ve also seen big contenders like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Elden Ring, and Death Stranding claim top spots. So, who snagged the title this year? Drumroll, please.
In a move that mirrors trends we’ve seen elsewhere, developers voted Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as their game of the year, a title that’s clearly resonating in the gaming community. Rounding out the top five are Ghost of Yotei—which follows in the prestigious footsteps of 2020’s winner, Ghost of Tsushima—taking the second spot. In third place is the mystery game Urban Myth Demolition Center, while Nintendo boasts two entries with Donkey Kong Bananza and Mario Kart World landing in fourth and fifth place, respectively.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has also been honored at the Golden Joystick Awards 2025, cementing its status as a frontrunner this year. The Witcher voice actor Doug Cockle shared his thoughts on the significance of this year’s game lineup, noting the impressive quality and declaring Clair Obscur as a standout: “It’s such a beautifully written game, and beautifully conceived and achieved.”
Interestingly, developers from various iconic franchises participated in the poll. The list includes influential figures like Devil May Cry creator Hideki Kamiya, Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka, and Street Fighter 6 director Takayuki Nakayama. It’s worth noting that individual developer selections often leak online, giving fans a glimpse into their favorites. Last year’s revelations included Final Fantasy 14 director Naoki Yoshida (Yoshi-P) casting a vote for just one title—Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail—and former Castlevania producer Koji Igarashi selecting Castlevania Dominus Collection, a DS compilation he directed, as his top choice.
Curiously, the director of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 recently mentioned that while they “tried” AI during development, they ultimately decided against it preferring to keep the project grounded in traditional mechanics and storytelling.