Animal Well, developed by Billy Basso at Shared Memory, has been praised by LocalThunk, the creator of Balatro, as his "Game of the Year 2024." LocalThunk awarded it the "Golden Thunk" honor, highlighting its engrossing gameplay and stylish secrets, calling it Basso's "true masterpiece." This recognition comes as Balatro, developed by LocalThunk, sold over 3.5 million copies and garnered widespread acclaim. Despite his game's success, LocalThunk remains active, releasing regular updates featuring crossovers with popular franchises such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Among Us.
Beyond Animal Well, LocalThunk also listed Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers, Arco, Nova Drift, Ballionaire, and Mouthwashing as standout indie titles of 2024. These games reflect his appreciation for diverse genres and innovative designs within the indie gaming community. Balatro's continued evolution through updates underscores LocalThunk's commitment to enhancing player engagement, with future collaborations already hinted at for 2024’s biggest titles.