LocalThunk, the solo developer behind the critically acclaimed indie hit Balatro, has declared Animal Well his Game of the Year for 2024. This accolade, playfully dubbed the "Golden Thunk" award, highlights the immersive gameplay, unique style, and hidden secrets of Animal Well, praising its creator, Billy Basso of Shared Memory, and calling the game a "true masterpiece." Balatro, which sold over 3.5 million copies in 2024, received similar critical praise, showcasing a successful year for indie gaming.
Basso, in response, lauded LocalThunk as a remarkably humble and kind developer. This exchange underscores the positive camaraderie within the indie game 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, highlighting specific aspects he enjoyed in each. The inclusion of Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers, a pixel art deck-building game similar to Balatro, is particularly noteworthy.
Despite Balatro's phenomenal success, LocalThunk continues to support the game with free updates. Three "Friends of Jimbo" updates have already introduced crossover content from popular IPs like Cyberpunk 2077, Among Us, and Dave the Diver, with hints of future collaborations on the horizon.
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