Squad Busters has been honored with the 2024 Apple Award for iPad Game of the Year, positioning it alongside other notable winners such as Balatro+ and AFK Journey, which secured awards for Apple Arcade and iPhone Game of the Year, respectively. Despite a somewhat underwhelming launch, Squad Busters has managed to reclaim its standing and shine in the competitive mobile gaming landscape.
Supercell, the Finnish mobile gaming giant, faced initial disappointment with the release of Squad Busters. The launch was less than stellar, which was surprising given Supercell's track record of carefully selecting which games to push into global markets after canceling numerous underperforming titles. However, the game has since found its stride, and the recognition from the Apple App Store Awards serves as a testament to its resilience and quality.
AFK Journey, developed by Farlight Games, clinched the iPhone Game of the Year award, while Balatro+ rightfully earned the title of Apple Arcade Game of the Year. This places Squad Busters in esteemed company, highlighting the game's successful turnaround and its appeal to iPad users.
Busted OpenThe initial stumble of Squad Busters sparked widespread discussion and concern within the mobile gaming community. Many questioned how Supercell, known for its meticulous approach to game development, could release a game that didn't immediately meet expectations. Was it the combination of battle royale and MOBA elements that didn't resonate with players, or perhaps the integration of various Supercell IPs that didn't capture the audience's interest?
Despite these early challenges, the iPad Game of the Year award suggests that the content of Squad Busters was never the issue. Having experienced the game firsthand, I can attest to its engaging mix of gameplay mechanics. This award is a well-deserved early Christmas gift for the Supercell team, affirming their hard work and dedication.
For those interested in how other games fared this year, you might want to check out the Pocket Gamer Awards to see where some of the year's releases ranked.
