The Surprising Winner of Japan's Game of the Year Poll

Japan's game developers have spoken, and their top pick for the year's best game might surprise you.

The Winner

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a Japanese role-playing game, took the crown in a recent poll conducted by a popular gaming magazine.

Past Winners

This isn't the first time the magazine has asked developers to share their favorites. In past years, big names like:

• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
• Elden Ring

have won.

Top Five List

The top five list shows a mix of genres and styles:

1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
2. Ghost of Yotei (inspired by Ghost of Tsushima)
3. Urban Myth Demolition Center (mystery game)
4. Donkey Kong Bananza (Nintendo)
5. Mario Kart World (Nintendo)

Notable Voters

The poll included votes from well-known figures in the gaming industry:

• Hideki Kamiya (creator of Devil May Cry)
• Akira Yamaoka (composer for Silent Hill)

Interesting Choices

While the magazine didn't share individual votes, past polls have revealed some interesting choices. For example:

• In 2024, Final Fantasy 14's producer voted only for his own game.
• A former Castlevania producer chose a collection of his past work as his top pick.

Diverse Tastes

This year's results show that Japanese developers have a diverse range of tastes. The winner, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, might not be as well-known internationally as some other games on the list. But its victory proves that there's more to Japanese gaming than just big franchises. It's a reminder that sometimes, the best games are the ones that fly under the radar.