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The Best Indie Games of 2024: LocalThunk’s Expert Picks

In a year filled with amazing indie games, Balatro may have stolen the spotlight, taking home several awards, including a spot on our list of the 50 best games of 2024 and that of Eurogamer readers. But developer LocalThunk didn’t stop there. He’s taken the time to highlight some other indie gems that caught his eye in 2024.

A Look at the Golden Thunk Awards

In a recent post on X, LocalThunk unveiled his "very prestigious Golden Thunk Awards." The top prize went to the "engrossing experience" of Animal Well, a game that left him in awe.

"My very prestigious Golden Thunk award for Game of the Year 2024 goes to Animal Well!" he wrote. "Animal Well was an engrossing experience. Dripping with style, secrets, and making me feel like an imposter in this industry as a dev, Billy Basso created a true masterpiece."

The Honourable Mentions

Close runners-up included Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers, described by LocalThunk as a "beautifully synergistic and strategic deckbuilder." He notes that people mistakenly wrote this off as a Balatro clone, but it was announced before his game ever was.

Other honourable mentions include Arco, Nova Drift, Ballionaire, and Wrong Organ’s exceptional Mouthwashing.

Regrets and Reflections

In a candid interview, LocalThunk shared his thoughts on Balatro’s success: "I didn’t even know this was a horror game when I started playing it at 11 pm one fateful night. I was hooked instantly, and both the world it created and the poignant message woven into the game stick with me vividly months later."

This isn’t the first time Balatro has received accolades. The game took home several awards at The Game Awards 2024, including best mobile game, best debut indie game, and best independent game.

The Creator’s Dilemma

In a surprising twist, the anonymous solo developer of Balatro recently revealed that there’s a part of him that regrets the game’s success. He misses the days when creating games was just a hobby, something that recharged his batteries.

" Honestly, yeah. Don’t get me wrong – this has changed my life in a lot of amazing ways. I’m so grateful. But I do miss that time before. It was just a hobby that recharged my batteries. Sometimes I think, ‘Maybe I would’ve been happier if I had never released this game to the public.’]]