It's year-end, time for my "Game of the Year" selection: Balatro. While not my absolute favorite, its success warrants discussion.
Balatro, a blend of solitaire, poker, and roguelike deck-building, has garnered numerous awards, including Indie and Mobile Game of the Year at The Game Awards and two Pocket Gamer Awards. This success, however, has also generated confusion and even anger from some. The relatively simple visuals have been contrasted with flashier games, leading to bafflement over its widespread acclaim.
This very contrast, however, highlights why it's my GOTY pick. Before delving into Balatro, here are some honorable mentions:
Honorable Mentions:
- Vampire Survivors' Castlevania expansion: A long-awaited and well-received addition.
- Squid Game: Unleashed's free-to-play model: A potentially precedent-setting move by Netflix Games.
- Watch Dogs: Truth's audio adventure release: An interesting, albeit unconventional, release for the Watch Dogs franchise.
Balatro: A Mixed Bag
My experience with Balatro has been mixed. While captivating, I haven't mastered it. The focus on optimizing deck statistics, a frustrating aspect for me, has prevented me from completing runs despite many hours of play.
Despite this, Balatro represents excellent value. It's simple, engaging, and undemanding. While not my ideal time-waster (that title goes to Vampire Survivors), it's a strong contender. Its appealing visuals and smooth gameplay, combined with its reasonable price point ($9.99), make it a worthwhile purchase. The game's design, from its calming music to its satisfying sound effects, keeps players engaged.
The "It's Just a Game" Argument
Balatro's success has been met with skepticism. Similar reactions were seen with Astrobot's Game of the Year win at another awards show. The criticism stems from Balatro's unashamedly "gamey" design – colorful, engaging, yet not overly complex or flashy. It's not a high-end tech demo, having originated as a passion project.
Many find Balatro's success perplexing because it's not a flashy gacha game, nor does it push technical boundaries. It's simply a "card game," in their view. However, it's a well-executed card game, offering a fresh take on the genre. Its quality shouldn't be judged solely on visual fidelity or flashy elements.
Substance Over Style
Balatro's success teaches a valuable lesson: multi-platform releases don't need to be massive, cross-platform, cross-progression, multiplayer gacha experiences. Simplicity and well-executed design, coupled with a unique style, can resonate with players across mobile, console, and PC platforms.
While not a massive financial success, Balatro's low development costs likely resulted in significant profit for LocalThunk. It proves that a simple, well-made game can achieve success without needing cutting-edge graphics or complex mechanics.
Balatro's appeal lies in its accessibility. Some players strive for optimization, while others, like myself, enjoy its relaxed pace.
Ultimately, Balatro's success reinforces the idea that a game doesn't need to be groundbreaking in terms of visuals or gameplay to be successful; sometimes, simplicity and well-executed design are enough.
