Top mobile games of 2024: Iwan\'s picks, except it\'s mostly Balatro

Year-End Game Pick: Balatro – A Humble Game's Unexpected Triumph

It's the end of the year, and as you likely know, Balatro is my game of the year. While not necessarily my favorite game, its success story is compelling and deserves attention. Balatro, a blend of solitaire, poker, and roguelike deckbuilding, has garnered numerous awards, including Indie and Mobile Game of the Year at The Game Awards and Best Mobile Port and Best Digital Board Game at the Pocket Gamer Awards.

This success, however, has also sparked confusion and even anger. Comparisons between its relatively simple visuals and the flashy gameplay videos of other titles have led some to question its award wins. The perception that a seemingly simple deckbuilder could achieve such recognition is baffling to many.

I believe this very reaction highlights why Balatro is my GOTY pick. Before delving deeper, let's acknowledge some other noteworthy games:

Honorable Mentions:

• Vampire Survivors' Castlevania expansion: The long-awaited addition of iconic Castlevania characters is a triumph.
• Squid Game: Unleashed's free-to-play model: A potentially groundbreaking move by Netflix Games, suggesting a shift in monetization strategies.
• Watch Dogs: Truth audio adventure: A unique approach by Ubisoft for the Watch Dogs franchise, opting for an Audible-only release.

Balatro: A Mixed Bag of Delight

My personal experience with Balatro has been a mixed bag. While undeniably captivating, I haven't mastered it. The need for deck optimization later in runs has proven challenging, despite many hours of playtime.

However, from a cost-benefit perspective, Balatro represents one of the best gaming purchases I've made in years. It's simple, engaging, and not overly demanding. It's visually appealing and plays well. For $9.99, you get a captivating roguelike deckbuilder that's both easily accessible and surprisingly deep. LocalThunk's ability to elevate a simple format is commendable.

The calming music and satisfying sound effects further enhance the gameplay loop. Balatro is refreshingly honest about its addictive nature, doing so subtly yet effectively.

Beyond the Graphics:

Why focus on Balatro? Some argue its success is undeserved. This criticism often targets its simple design, which lacks the flashy graphics or retro aesthetic of other games. It's not a cutting-edge Unreal Engine 5 title; it began as a passion project.

Many, both in the public and critical spheres, find Balatro's success perplexing. It's not a high-budget gacha game, nor does it push technological boundaries. It's simply "a card game," in their view.

However, it's a well-executed card game, offering a fresh take on the genre. Game quality should be measured by its design and execution, not solely by visual fidelity.

Substance Over Style:

Balatro's success demonstrates that a multi-platform game doesn't need to be a massive, cross-platform gacha adventure to thrive. Simplicity and strong design can be incredibly powerful. While not a massive financial success, its relatively low development costs likely resulted in significant profit for LocalThunk.

Balatro proves that a well-crafted, stylish game can resonate with mobile, console, and PC players.

Balatro's accessibility is also noteworthy. Some players strive for optimal deck construction and flawless runs, while others, like myself, enjoy it as a relaxing pastime.

The key takeaway from Balatro's success is simple: A game doesn't need to be groundbreaking in terms of graphics or gameplay mechanics to be successful. Sometimes, a well-executed, unique concept is all it takes.