Naoki Hamaguchi, the director of Final Fantasy 7 Remake and its sequel, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, clearly possesses an exceptional taste in games. If there’s any uncertainty about his preferences, his declaration of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as his top game of the year only confirms it. When asked by GamesRadar+ about his favorite title of 2025 so far, he enthusiastically highlighted the debut from Sandfall Interactive. “It’s a really fantastic game and deserves to be recognized as game of the year,” he stated. “I’d love to see them achieve that.”
Hamaguchi praised Expedition 33 not just for its JRPG-style turn-based combat, but also for the innovative quick-time parrying that adds a unique twist to the genre. Nevertheless, he emphasized that the essence of the game isn’t solely in its combat, explaining, “What makes that game outstanding is its perfect balance of all gameplay elements, achieving a high level of quality across the board.”
Developer Insights and Industry Impact
While Sandfall Interactive appreciates the recognition, they clarified that aiming for a Game of the Year win isn’t their primary goal. They expressed that if it were to happen, it would be a “nice little bonus,” but their main support lies with titles like Megabonk.
Furthermore, Hamaguchi noted that the team behind Clair Obscur received positive feedback about the resurgence of JRPGs. However, he indicated that the success of this turn-based title won’t significantly alter Square Enix’s strategic direction.
The developers of Clair Obscur shared their heartfelt sentiments about gaining recognition in Japan. They mentioned how their game draws inspiration from numerous classic JRPGs, stating that it’s a deeply personal project for them.
Elements That Stand Out
Hamaguchi elaborated on the game’s strengths, mentioning, “The setting, world-building, characters, and storyline are all exceptionally crafted alongside the gameplay.” He believes these elements synergize effectively, explaining, “That’s why it has garnered such a positive reputation among fans and achieved strong sales.”
He also remarked on the collaboration between some Clair Obscur developers and the team at the Final Fantasy headquarters, stating, “It was truly inspiring… Their respect for the classic turn-based style of JRPGs is evident. As creators from Japan, we are thrilled to see others embracing and evolving this genre.”
Now, it’s time to see if anyone will prompt Hamaguchi to weigh in on what many might consider the real Game of the Year for 2025, Megabonk.
In a related note, Hamaguchi expressed that, no matter how much AI technology might intersect with creative processes, his team aims to be skilled enough creators that “we can surpass AI in our work.”