Balatro Dev Reveals Personal Favorite Game of 2024

LocalThunk, the solo developer behind the hugely successful indie game Balatro (3.5 million copies sold!), has declared Animal Well his 2024 Game of the Year. This accolade, humorously dubbed the "Golden Thunk" award, highlights the "engrossing experience, style, and secrets" of Animal Well, calling it developer Billy Basso's "true masterpiece." Basso, in turn, praised LocalThunk as a "Nicest Most Humble Dev of the Year." This exchange exemplifies the positive camaraderie within the indie game development community.

Both Balatro and Animal Well were critically acclaimed indie hits of 2024. Balatro's success, achieved on a small budget, is a testament to its innovative deck-building gameplay and strong player reception. The game's popularity is further evidenced by the three "Friends of Jimbo" updates released, featuring crossover content from titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Among Us, and Dave the Diver, with more collaborations hinted at.

Beyond Animal Well, LocalThunk also shared his appreciation for several other 2024 indie favorites: Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers, Arco, Nova Drift, Ballionaire, and Mouthwashing. Interestingly, Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers, like Balatro, is a pixel art deck-building game created by a single developer. This list underscores the rich variety and quality within the 2024 indie game landscape. The continued support for Balatro through free updates demonstrates LocalThunk's commitment to player engagement and further solidifies his position as a prominent figure in the indie game scene.