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 Animal Well's "engrossing experience," unique style, and hidden secrets, praising its creator, Billy Basso, and calling the game a "true masterpiece." Basso responded by acknowledging LocalThunk as a "Nicest Most Humble Dev of the Year," showcasing the positive camaraderie within the indie game development community.
This mutual respect between two critically acclaimed indie titles reflects the vibrant landscape of 2024's indie game releases. Both Balatro and Animal Well achieved significant critical acclaim and player popularity.
Beyond Animal Well, LocalThunk also shared his other favorite indie games of 2024, including Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers, Arco, Nova Drift, Ballionaire, and Mouthwashing, providing brief commentary on each. Interestingly, Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers, like Balatro, is a pixel art deck-building game created by a solo developer.
LocalThunk's continued dedication to Balatro is evident in the three "Friends of Jimbo" updates released since its launch. These updates feature crossovers with popular IPs such as Cyberpunk 2077, Among Us, and Dave the Diver, and he has hinted at another major crossover in the works. The success of Balatro, coupled with this recognition of other indie titles, underscores the thriving and supportive nature of the indie game development scene.
