This week’s issue of Weekly Famitsu magazine #1622 features a questionnaire that was given to 132 Japanese celebrities and game creators to rank the ‘trendiest’ games of 2019.
Among the Famitsu editorital team and the Japanese game creators and celebrities, the top 10 most popular games are:
- Death Stranding
- Dragon Quest Walk
- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
- Fire Emblem: Three Houses
- Ring Fit Adventure
- Pokémon Sword and Shield
- Days Gone
- Monster Hunter World: Iceborne
- Dragon Quest Builders 2
- Apex Legends
Titles included are not only among those released in 2019, as the list represents games released at any time which were the most popular this year.
Four different Atlus developers were given the questionnaire.
Shinjiro Takada’s Top 4 Games of 2019
Shinjiro Takada is an Atlus producer who released Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE in December 2015. He will be releasing a new version based on the European and American version called Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore in January 2020.
1. Fire Emblem: Three Houses (Switch) [2019-07-26]
It achieves a high level of tactical perfection, and the strategy required for each stage doesn’t let you get bored.
2. Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown (PS4, Xbox One, PC) [2019-01-17]
A true evolution that does not betray tradition or expectations. It also looks beautiful.
3. Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age (Switch) [2019-09-27]
The ultimate remake combining the best elements of the PS4 and Nintendo 3DS.
4. 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim (PS4) [2019-11-28]
A unique video game. Intricately intertwined, it tells an enigmatic story that you want to solve without stopping… Apologies for naming my own company’s game.
Katsura Hashino’s Top 3 Games of 2019
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. Diablo III: Eternal Collection (Switch) [2018-12-27]
I thought it would be unpleasant to play with a portable device. But with the New Year of 2019… (I’ll omit the rest).
2. Star Luster (NES) [1985-12-06]
I found myself playing it somehow or another during evenings when I needed to relax. It’s an old game, so it’s easy to understand.
3. Death Stranding (PS4) [2019-11-08]
Recently, when I look back, the staff in the development room have been playing this all the time during breaks. I’m afraid I’d become addicted, so I just watch right now. Until the New Year.
Kazuhisa Wada’s Top 5 Games of 2019
Kazuhisa Wada is a creative producer and chief director of the Persona Team. He worked on Persona 4 Arena and the “Persona Dancing” series, with his latest work being Persona 5 Royal.
1. Dragon Quest Walk (iOS, Android) [2019-09-12]
This game is one where the big IP (intellectual property) that is Dragon Quest has successfully dropped into a crowded market of location based games. It’s simple, but fun. Fortunately, its responsiveness is also wonderful. You’ll be billed for it.
2. Resident Evil 2 (PS4, Xbox One) [2019-01-25]
It’s a good remake of a masterpiece. A masterpiece should be modernized for future generations. I like this trend. What a tricky police station! Aside from that, the game is consistently fun.
3. Detroit: Become Human (PS4, PC) [2018-05-25]
I’ve been playing this game without really meaning to until now. This scenario where the 3 characters cross over and diverge is amazing. A lot of points get mixed together, and it’s the best.
[Detroit was one of Hashino’s most notable 2018 games, and on of Daisuke Kanada‘s as well.]
4. AI: The Somnium Files (Switch, PS4, PC) [2019-09-19]
A hidden masterpiece? It’s a peculiarly novel text that mixes humor with seriousness, up to a conclusion that made me laugh (in a good way).
5. Fit Boxing (Switch) [2018-12-20]
This is an alternative to “Ring Fit Adventure,” but it was wonderful. Health first. It ingeniously makes you want to keep it up every day.
Daisuke Kanada’s Top 5 Games of 2019
Daisuke Kanada is a director and producer ot the Persona Team, he was a developer on the “Persona Q” series and the upcoming Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers.
1. Heave Ho (Switch, PC) [2019-08-29]
It’s simple, but it’s deep. It’s the most fun in cooperative play!
2. Splatoon 2 (Switch) [2017-07-21]
I’m late to this, but competition is fierce. The songs are the best!
3. Dragon Quest Walk (iOS, Android) [2019-09-12]
The familiar Dragon Quest world is enjoyably nostalgic. I’m training for a job change.
4. Minecraft (Everything) [2011-11-08]
I’ve been taking a break from playing it repeatedly, but I think I’ll start it again.
5. Resident Evil 2 (PS4, Xbox One) [2019-01-25]
A work that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Aim for the zombies’ feet.
***
The top 10 most popular games overall this year from the Famitsu editorital team, in order, are:
- Pokémon Sword and Shield (13 mentions)
- Death Stranding (12 mentions)
- 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim (8 mentions)
- Final Fantasy XIV (7 mentions)
- Dragon Quest Walk (7 mentions)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (6 mentions)
- Shenmue III (5 mentions)
- Puzzle & Dragons (4 mentions)
- Pokémon GO (4 mentions)
- Monster Hunter World: Iceborne (4 mentions)
The top five games for Atlus developers Katsura Hashino, Kazuyuki Yamai, and Kazuhisa Wada for 2018 can be read in last year’s post.
Weekly Famitsu magazine #1622 (or the January 9 – 16 -23 triple issue) was released on December 26, 2019.