LocalThunk, the solo developer behind the incredibly successful indie game Balatro (which sold over 3.5 million copies in 2024), has declared Animal Well his Game of the Year. This accolade, humorously dubbed the "Golden Thunk" award, highlights the immersive gameplay, stylish design, and hidden secrets within Animal Well, calling it Shared Memory developer Billy Basso's "true masterpiece." Basso responded with gracious appreciation, praising LocalThunk's humility.
The positive interaction between these two successful indie developers generated considerable online enthusiasm, showcasing camaraderie within the indie game community. The post sparked discussion and praise for both Balatro and Animal Well, two critically acclaimed indie hits of 2024.
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 aspects he particularly enjoyed in each. Interestingly, Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers, like Balatro, is a pixel art deck-building game developed by a single creator.
Despite Balatro's phenomenal success, LocalThunk continues to actively support the game with free updates. Three "Friends of Jimbo" updates have already introduced crossover content from popular games such as Cyberpunk 2077, Among Us, and Dave the Diver. He has also hinted at a potential collaboration with another top 2024 title for a future crossover.
