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

It's the year's end, and my Game of the Year is Balatro. While not my absolute favorite, its success warrants discussion. 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 two Pocket Gamer Awards.

However, its success has also sparked confusion and criticism, primarily due to comparisons with visually flashier games. Many question how a relatively simple deckbuilder could achieve such widespread acclaim. I believe this highlights Balatro's true merit and makes it my GOTY choice.

Honorable Mentions:

• Vampire Survivors' Castlevania expansion: A long-awaited and well-received addition.
• Squid Game: Unleashed's free-to-play model: A potentially groundbreaking move by Netflix Games.
• Watch Dogs: Truth's audio adventure release: An interesting, albeit unconventional, approach by Ubisoft.

My Balatro Experience:

My experience with Balatro has been mixed. While engaging, I haven't mastered its intricacies. The focus on optimizing deck statistics proves challenging for me. Despite this, it represents excellent value for its price. It's simple, accessible, and visually appealing. It's not the perfect time-waster (that title goes to Vampire Survivors for me), but it's a strong contender.

Balatro's design is deceptively calming, with satisfying sound effects that enhance the gameplay loop. Its success, however, has been met with skepticism from some.

The "It's Just a Game" Argument:

Balatro's success is perplexing to some, who perceive it as merely a "card game." This reaction highlights a common bias towards visually impressive or complex games. Balatro's strength lies in its well-executed, innovative gameplay, not its graphics. It's a testament to the fact that game quality shouldn't be solely judged by visual fidelity.

Substance Over Style:

Balatro's multi-platform success (PC, console, mobile) demonstrates that complex, high-budget productions aren't always necessary for success. While not a massive financial triumph, its relatively low development cost likely resulted in significant profit for LocalThunk. It proves a simple, well-designed game with unique style can resonate across different platforms and player bases.

Balatro's accessibility is another key factor. While some strive for optimization, others, like myself, appreciate its relaxed pace.

In conclusion, Balatro's success underscores a crucial point: a game doesn't need cutting-edge graphics or complex mechanics to be successful. Sometimes, a simple, well-executed, and stylish game is all it takes.