LocalThunk, the creator of the wildly successful indie game Balatro (which sold over 3.5 million copies in 2024), has declared Animal Well his "Game of the Year." This accolade, playfully dubbed the "Golden Thunk" award, highlights Animal Well's immersive gameplay, unique style, and hidden secrets. LocalThunk specifically praised the game's solo developer, Billy Basso, calling Animal Well Basso's "true masterpiece." Basso, in turn, acknowledged the compliment, referring to LocalThunk as a remarkably humble and kind developer. This exchange underscores the positive camaraderie within the indie game development community.
The success of Balatro, a pixel art deck-building game, is undeniable. However, 2024 was a banner year for indie games, with titles like Neva, Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, and UFO 50 also garnering significant attention. Animal Well, in particular, achieved a level of critical acclaim comparable to Balatro's.
Beyond Animal Well, LocalThunk also shared his appreciation for several other 2024 indie favorites, including Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers (a fellow pixel art deck-building game with similarities to Balatro), Arco, Nova Drift, Ballionaire, and Mouthwashing. He detailed his reasons for enjoying each title in a follow-up tweet.
LocalThunk's continued commitment to Balatro is evident in the three "Friends of Jimbo" updates released since launch. These updates introduced crossover content from popular IPs such as Cyberpunk 2077, Among Us, and Dave the Diver, enhancing the player experience. He recently hinted at another collaboration with a prominent 2024 game, promising further exciting developments for Balatro fans.
