Metaphor: ReFantazio won the Grand Award, the top prize in the Japan Game Awards’ Annual Works Category, while INDIKA received the separate Game Designers Award. The awards recognize different achievements: judges praised Metaphor’s expansive fantasy RPG experience and INDIKA’s themes, world building, and atmosphere.
Who won the Japan Game Awards 2025?
The 29th Japan Game Awards recognized both games in distinct categories. ATLUS CO., LTD.’s Metaphor: ReFantazio received the Grand Award in the Annual Works Category. Odd Meter’s INDIKA won the Game Designers Award. The ceremony took place on September 23, 2025, according to the Japan Game Awards’ official history.
| Game | Award | Company named by the organizers | Platforms listed in the official results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metaphor: ReFantazio | Grand Award, Annual Works Category | ATLUS CO., LTD. | Xbox Series X|S, Windows, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Steam |
| INDIKA | Game Designers Award | Odd Meter | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Windows, and Steam |
These platform lists reflect the Japan Game Awards’ results page; they are not a live check of current availability. The organizers’ complete 2025 results and jury descriptions name the winners and platforms.
Did Metaphor: ReFantazio win Game of the Year in Japan?
It won the Japan Game Awards’ Grand Award, the highest prize in the Annual Works Category. That is the accurate category name for the result; it should not be confused with awards from other organizations or with the Game Designers Award.
#1 Best Overall
- IGN and GameSpot "Game of the Year" and "Best RPG" from The Game Awards
- ATLUS' newest fantasy JRPG with beautiful anime cutscenes
- Free demo with save-data carry over
- Awaken 40+ "Archetypes," magical powers that lie dormant in your heart
- Innovative battle system that blends strategic turn-based combat and dynamic real-time combat
Why the judges chose Metaphor: ReFantazio
The award page describes a new fantasy RPG built around a struggle for the throne after the king’s murder. Its rationale highlights the epic story and world, a battle system that combines action and strategy, background music, interfaces inspired by European drawings, and the substantial amount of play. The organizers also point to the drama and strong personalities that drew enthusiastic support.
What award did INDIKA win, and why?
INDIKA won the Game Designers Award, a separate honor from the Grand Award. The jury commentary does not frame its achievement as a novel control scheme or game system. Instead, it says the game stands out through its unusual themes and the way it builds a distinctive experience around them.
Rank #2
![Metaphor ReFantazio with Steelbook Korean Edition [English Support] for PS5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51PF2hcOMhL._SL160_.jpg)
- Metaphor ReFantazio with Steelbook Korean Edition. This is Korean Version released in Korea.
- Korean Edition supports Multi languages: English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean.
- Korean version offers exclusive steelbook.
The jury’s rationale for INDIKA
The organizers note that INDIKA uses a comparatively familiar third-person action format. The jury’s attention fell on its mental landscapes, religious and virtue-related themes, distinctive world building, and atmosphere. The official explanation says the vote was initially divided before the game ultimately received the greatest support.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How the two awards fit into the wider ceremony
The Japan Game Awards 2025 included other honors beyond the two headline results. In its announcement, the Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA) also named Nintendo Switch 2 for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Award, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for the Breakthrough Award, and Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket for the Movement Award. CESA described the 2025 event as the awards’ 29th year. See the official CESA announcement for those results.
Quick Recap
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Rank #3
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