Unveiling the Top Games of 2025: A Look Through the Eyes of Atlus Staff
In the world of gaming, the year 2025 is set to be a blockbuster, and Weekly Famitsu is here to guide you through the highlights. The December 25, 2025 issue, reveals the magazine's annual list of the most popular games of the year, as voted by 191 industry figures and celebrities. Among these, three Atlus staff members, Shinjiro Takada, Kazuhisa Wada, and Kazuyuki Yamai, share their personal top picks, offering a unique perspective on the year's gaming landscape.
Top 20 Titles of 2025:
1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
2. Ghost of Yotei
3. Urban Myth Dissolution Center
4. Donkey Kong: Bananza
5. Mario Kart: World
6. Dragon Quest I & II HD2D Remake
7. Monster Hunter Wilds
8. Silent Hill f
9. Pokemon Legends Z-A
10. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
11. Elden Ring: Nightreign
12. Ball x Pit
13. Street Fighter 6
14. Battlefield 6
15. SD Gundam G Generation Eternal
16. Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
17. Shadowverse: World’s Beyond
18. Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
19. Sultan’s Game
20. Ooo
Atlus Staff Rankings:
Shinjiro Takada (1st Production Project Manager):
1st) Hogwarts Legacy: Takada found the game's world recreation and battle system engaging, despite its age.
2nd) Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment: The game's emotional storytelling allowed Takada to connect with the Zelda universe.
3rd) Cyberpunk 2077: The game's unique fusion of setting and mechanics impressed Takada.
Kazuhisa Wada (Persona Series Creative Producer):
1st) Urban Myth Dissolution Center: Wada was blown away by the game's execution, calling it a model for indie games.
2nd) Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy: The game's depth and volume were impressive, with Wada's son completing all 100 endings.
3rd) Dragon Quest Walk: A long-time favorite, Wada succeeded in getting a young person from the planning department hooked.
Kazuyuki Yamai (Shin Megami Tensei Series Producer and Director):
1st) Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: Yamai was impressed by the game's Western painting-inspired aesthetics.
2nd) Mario Kart World: Nintendo's continued innovation in the series is remarkable.
3rd) Urban Myth Dissolution Center: The pixel art and animation, with a 90s vibe, left Yamai in awe.
4th) Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultimate Edition): The game's fluid movement was a standout feature.
5th) Faith: The Unholy Trilogy: This game is inhabited by madness and demons, according to Yamai.
But here's where it gets controversial... While the top games of 2024 for Atlus developers Shinjiro Takada, Naoto Hiraoka, and Kazuhisa Wada can be found in last year's post, the question remains: What games will make the cut in 2026? And this is the part most people miss... The gaming landscape is ever-changing, and the top titles of this year may not be the same next year. So, what games will you be playing in 2026? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
