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," "style," and "secrets," praising developer Billy Basso's "true masterpiece." Basso, in turn, lauded LocalThunk as a "Nicest Most Humble Dev of the Year." This exchange showcases the positive camaraderie within the indie game development community.
Both Balatro and Animal Well were critically acclaimed indie hits of 2024. Balatro, a pixel art deck-building game, achieved phenomenal success despite its small budget and solo development. Animal Well, a Metroidvania title, garnered comparable critical praise.
LocalThunk's appreciation extended beyond Animal Well. His "runners-up" for favorite games of 2024 included Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers (sharing similarities with Balatro), Arco, Nova Drift, Ballionaire, and Mouthwashing. He detailed his reasons for enjoying each title in a subsequent Twitter thread.
Despite Balatro's success, LocalThunk continues to support the game with free updates. Three "Friends of Jimbo" updates have already introduced crossover content from popular IPs such as Cyberpunk 2077, Among Us, and Dave the Diver. He's hinted at another collaboration with a prominent 2024 title in the works.
