This week’s issue of Weekly Famitsu magazine #1570 features a questionnaire that was given to 128 Japanese celebrities and game creators to rank the ‘trendiest’ games of 2018.
The top 10 most popular games overall this year, in order, are:
- Marvel’s Spider-Man
- Monster Hunter: World
- Detroit: Become Human
- Red Dead Redemption 2
- God of War
- Octopath Traveler
- Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
- Fortnite
- Conan Exiles
- Splatoon 2
Many 2017 titles were cited, as this list is not meant to be exclusively about games released in 2018, but the most popular of this year.
Three different Atlus developers were given the questionnaire.
Katsura Hashino’s Top 5 2018 Games
Katsura Hashino is an Atlus director who worked on Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona 5. He is now a lead of Studio Zero, the producer of Catherine: Full Body, and the director of Project Re Fantasy.
1. Arcade Archives: Star Force (Switch. PS4) [2015-09-04]
I wonder if I’ve played a more exhilarating game?
2. Marvel’s Spider-Man (PS4) [2018-09-07]
My co-workers kept telling me that, “It’s amazing.” And it truly is amazing.
3. Jikuu Senki Mu (GB) [1991-09-13]
The character creator makes me feel good.
4. Detroit: Become Human (PS4) [2018-05-25]
Detroit is fun [in Japanese, “Detroit Omoroid.”]. It also made me feel the possibilities of game design.
5. Super Mario Odyssey (Switch) [2017-10-27]
I was impressed with the balance. Even in the production of minor part.
Kazuyuki Yamai’s Top 5 2018 Games
Kazuyuki Yamai is an Atlus producer behind the Shin Megami Tensei series. He is the producer of the upcoming Shin Megami Tensei V.
1. Golf Story (Switch) [2018-09-03]
It has an excellent game-like quality, which makes it a perfect fit to play late at night.
2. NEOGEO Mini [2018-07-04]
It can be played without being connected to the TV, so it’s compatible for a middle aged man’s family household.
3. Shonen Jump 50th Anniversary Famicon Classic Mini [2018-07-07]
It gives a feeling of a future where you can relive your childhood stress.
4. Dungeon Maker (iOS, Android) [2018-05-18]
I’m a dungeon maker for Atlus, so I was hooked when I started.
5. Higurashi When They Cry Hou (Switch) [2018-07-26]
A transcendent masterpiece that focuses on emotion.
Kazuhisa Wada’s Top 5 2018 Games
Kazuhisa Wada is an Atlus director and producer behind the Persona series. His latest titles involve being the producer behind Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight and Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight.
1. Fortnite (Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC, iOS, Android) [2018-03-08]
I can play it endlessly, and the matchmaking is fast. Just watching experts play is fascinating. And you can play it for free! [Wada has stated recently that he’s been paying a lot of attention to Epic Games]
2. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Switch) [2018-12-07]
It’s a lot of fun, despite being clumsy at it. It’s an exhaustive collection. It has an insane and overwhelming density (in a good way). I’ll be unskilled with the inclusion of Joker!
3. Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (3DS) [2018-11-29]
The final Persona game for the Nintendo 3DS. Because it has been carefully crafted. it’s a game that I want you to play during the holidays and New Year’s!
4. BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle (Switch, PS4, PC)
This year, I watched it at “EVO”! It’s flashy and fast! I wished Persona characters were used more.
5. Kyoutou Kotoba RPG: Kotodaman (iOS/Android) [2018-04-16]
I like the concept. It’s carefully designed and very polished. It’s an excellent work, overall.
The top 5 games of 2017 for these Atlus developers can be found in last year’s post.
Weekly Famitsu magazine issue #1570 (or the January 10 – 17 double issue) was released on December 27, 2018.