LocalThunk, the solo developer behind the wildly successful indie game Balatro (3.5 million copies sold!), has declared Animal Well his personal Game of the Year for 2024. This accolade, playfully dubbed the "Golden Thunk" award, highlights the captivating gameplay and stylish secrets of Animal Well, calling it developer Billy Basso's "true masterpiece." Both Balatro and Animal Well were critically acclaimed indie hits of 2024.
The announcement, shared on Twitter, sparked positive reactions, with Basso responding to LocalThunk's praise. Fans celebrated the evident camaraderie and mutual respect within the indie development community.
Beyond Animal Well, LocalThunk also shared his appreciation for several other 2024 indie titles, including Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers, Arco, Nova Drift, Ballionaire, and Mouthwashing, detailing his reasons for enjoying each. Interestingly, Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers shares similarities with Balatro, being a pixel art deck-building game created by a solo developer.
Despite Balatro's remarkable success, LocalThunk continues to support the game with free updates. Three "Friends of Jimbo" updates have already introduced crossover content from popular titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Among Us, and Dave the Diver, with hints of another major crossover on the horizon.
Summary
- LocalThunk, Balatro's creator, awards Animal Well his "Game of the Year 2024" accolade.
- He highlights Animal Well's immersive experience and praises its developer, Billy Basso.
- LocalThunk also mentions several other favorite indie games from 2024.
- Despite Balatro's success, LocalThunk continues to release free updates and hints at future collaborations.
Balatro Developer's Top Indie Games of 2024
LocalThunk's "runners-up" list includes: Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers, Arco, Nova Drift, Ballionaire, and Mouthwashing.
