Japan Game Awards 2025 Awards Ceremony Report! Which title symbolizes this year's gaming industry?

On September 23rd, the "Japan Game Awards 2025 Game of the Year Awards Ceremony" Many of the masterpieces that have graced this year's gaming scene were gathered together, and the prestigious award winners were announced.

In this article, the author, who attended the awards ceremony, will provide a thorough report on everything from the winning works in each category to the trends in the gaming industry this year.

Introducing all the prestigious award-winning works!

大 賞

• Title of work: Metaphor: Refantagio (Atlus Co., Ltd.)

To be honest, I was surprised that this work was so well received. Personally, it looked like a hardcore, difficult game like Megami Tensei, and the fact that it was a new IP rather than a sequel IP, which is Atlus's forte, and the world view leaned heavily towards fantasy, made me quite unsure. However, the results were very different. The world view is based on a unique philosophy, and the music matches it. Furthermore, as user representative Tani-san said, I think the deciding factor was that it embodied the words, "Music is the first magic born in this world."

The song "Metaphor" performed by guest Harami was also unique and beautifully expressed the band's worldview.

Award of Excellence

While the usual number of awards is 10, this year 11 works were awarded.

• Title 1: Metaphor: Refantasio

• Title 2: Urban Legend Dismantling Center

It's a work that suits modern needs, like a manga that unfolds on social media. It's different from the usual horror of urban legends, with its intriguing horror elements of the approaching unknown, and the sense of being trapped in a tangled web that many people find addictive, which may be why it won the award. The creator who spoke said that the game was developed almost entirely indie, so the fact that it won an award despite being published by Shueisha is likely to have a major impact on the gaming industry going forward.

• Title 3: Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven

This is a remake that faithfully retains the original elements and background music. Personally, I would have liked this work to win the grand prize. I think it was well-received because it retained all of the fun systems from the original Romancing SaGa series while thoroughly remaking the difficult parts and parts that are not suited to modern times. I also think it's strong in that it retains elements for long-time fans.

• Title 4: Dragon Quest III: And Into the Legend...

This 38-year-old work has been reborn in HD-2D and won the award. It adds new elements to the original, making it a remake, for better or worse. However, I believe these elements were well-received by both longtime fans and many current fans, which is why it won the award.

• Title 5: Dynasty Warriors ORIGINS

The "Dynasty Warriors" series features some of the most handsome men from previous titles. This highly polished work lives up to expectations of the evolution of the Musou series to date. I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations on this first award in 20 years. I also thought this was a contender for the Grand Prize.

• Title 6: Tokyo X tremeRacer

Surprisingly, it won the award while still in its early access version. It's a modern, improved version of the classic Shutokou Battle. I think the popularity of the many customization options, such as being able to stick to the back of a car and suddenly engage in race battles with numerous other cars, made it the winner.

• Title 7: Ryu ga Gotoku 8 Gaiden: Pirates in Hawaii

The award went to a spin-off from the Yakuza series, which was a real surprise. As the producer said on stage, it's a fantastical game in which Goro Majima, one of the most popular characters in the Yakuza series, becomes a pirate, sails the high seas and gets caught up in all sorts of things...or rather, he goes out of his way to get caught up in them. First of all, the fact that a modern-day yakuza becomes a pirate is already crazy. However, it's not just that it's crazy, but I think the well-crafted ship battle elements and the high level of completion that makes use of the know-how of previous Yakuza games were the deciding factors for the award.

• Title 8: Monster Hunter Wilds

Unlike previous Monster Hunter games, this one is set in a vast open world. I think the deciding factors for its award are the romantic gameplay of running across vast lands and challenging large monsters, and the sense of accomplishment and fun that comes from hunting with friends. The lack of content is often discussed online, but it seems that a lot of effort is being put into future updates, so there is sure to be plenty of exciting content.

• Title 9: HUNDRED LINE -Final Defense Academy-

This game, which many people probably associate with "Danganronpa," is an incredible adventure game packed with 100 endings. Each ending is completely different, making it a game that you won't get bored of talking about with friends. I also believe that the company's unique and captivating character designs were key factors in its award.

• Title 10: Fantasy Life i: The Dragon of Guru Guru and the Girl Who Steals Time

This is a title that has been highly anticipated even before its release. Fantasy Life has a large core fan base, and I believe that the support from these fans, along with the high level of completion of this title, has led to the acquisition of new fans, leading to its award.

• Title 11: ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN

This is an objective-based roguelike action game, similar to the classic hardcore game "Elden Ring," in which three players work together to equip themselves and defeat a boss within a limited time. This type of game is usually called a "Soul-like," but I personally think of this game as a roguelike action game that inherited the Soul-like tradition. Unlike previous games like "Dark Souls" and "Elden Ring," where players with the most equipment come to the rescue and become invincible, everyone starts from scratch, and the only difference between players is their knowledge of the game. This makes the game difficult but very fun, and I think this is why it has received such high praise.

Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award

The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award is given to individuals and organizations that have contributed to the development of Japan's computer entertainment software industry.

• Name of recipient/organization : Nintendo Switch 2

This award is generally given to the game console itself, so I thought that if it were to win this year, it would be either the PS5 or the Nintendo Switch 2. It's a powerful gaming device that incorporates many of the features you want in online games, such as the ability to talk to friends without needing a calling app, while improving all of the unpopular aspects of the Switch and improving the console's specs. I thought there was no way it wouldn't win.

Movement Award

This award is given to a game that has become a social phenomenon that has had a huge impact on many people that year.

• Title: Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket

It's a social game based on the Pokémon Card Game, commonly known as "Pokepoke." I was very surprised that a social game would win an award. The game feels just like opening a real card pack, and while it faithfully includes all the existing card illustrations, it also adds new moves, which I think has made it popular even among users who don't play the card game.

Special prize

This award is given to works that the selection committee has specially evaluated for future potential and topicality.

• Title: PlayStation®Store

We believe that the fact that it is an advanced platform that has made Xbox Games and Steam popular is a major factor.

Breakthrough Award

This award is given to works that have pioneered the possibilities of games through original ideas and unprecedented gameplay.

• Title: Claire Obscur: Expedition 33

As the creator himself said, this work was heavily influenced by Japanese JRPGs. I think the unique worldview and the way the JRPG was made appealing and appealing to overseas users were highly praised.

Game Designers Award

This award is given to works that are highly acclaimed from the perspective of game design, such as originality and innovation, selected from among famous game creators in Japan and some around the world.

• Title: INDIKA

Its unique worldview and gameplay were a key factor in its success. The narration utilizes the setting in which the main character, Indica, can hear the voice of the devil, and the perspectives of the human and demonic worlds are expressed. I also thought the strong expression of the worldview of medieval Russia was wonderful. As Sakurai-san said, playing this game raises questions about the game itself, such as "What is the point?" and "Do demons really exist?" I think the main deciding factor was the metafictional aspect of it.

The Japan Game Awards: Shaping the Future of Games

What I felt again through this interview was that games as entertainment are constantly evolving. The Japan Game Awards recognized a wide variety of titles, from blockbusters by large development companies to indie games made with the passion of small teams.

This shows the limitless possibilities of games. We are constantly amazed by the innovative ideas of game creators, not only through advances in graphics and technology, but also in new ways of playing games and stories that really touch our hearts.

The gaming industry will continue to develop further, incorporating a variety of platforms and technologies. What form will the next "new fun" take? And what kind of excitement will the games of the future give us? This interview has only made my expectations grow even more.

As players, we too will continue to watch the evolution of games, looking forward to what kind of game we will encounter next.

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