Balatro is an exceptional indie game that has successfully entered the mainstream arena, selling millions of copies, receiving nominations at nearly every significant game award ceremony of the year, and attracting a devoted community of meme enthusiasts. However, solo developer Localthunk has continued to support diverse indie games throughout the year and has even highlighted some of his favorites.
On social media, Localthunk declared his “highly esteemed Golden Thunk award for Game of the Year 2024,” which will surely become an annual tradition. This year, the award was presented to a metroidvania filled with secrets: Animal Smartly. “Animal Well was an intriguing experience,” he tweeted. “Overflowing with style, hidden gems, and making me feel like an outsider in this industry as a developer, Billy Basso crafted a true masterpiece.” The creator of Animal Smartly, Billy Basso, subsequently expressed his appreciation by awarding Localthunk the “Nicest Most Humble Dev of the Year award” right back.
The runners-up included Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers, a game that “many mistakenly dismissed as a Balatro clone, but it was announced before my game was,” Localthunk explained. “A beautifully cohesive and strategic deck builder that I have invested countless hours into.”
The celebrated developer has previously praised RPG Arco, so it’s no surprise to see it featured in his year-end list as well. “Play Arco already; it’s amazing.”
The creator behind Balatro clearly has a passion for roguelikes, and he highlighted two specific ones in his list. The space shooting roguelike Nova Waft was highlighted by Localthunk as “an ideal game for the Steam Deck,” while Ballionaire was another game where “the atmosphere is fantastic, the synergies are exciting; it simply consumes your time; it’s truly a hit.”
Finally, Localthunk was equally captivated by the horror indie that has ensnared us all, Mouthwashing. “I didn’t even realize this was a horror game when I began playing it at 11 PM one fateful evening,” he said. “I was hooked immediately, and both the world it built and the profound message woven throughout the game remain with me vividly months later.”
In the meantime, check out some of the best roguelike games you can enjoy right now.