It's year-end, and time for my "Game of the Year" pick: Balatro. While not necessarily my favorite, its success warrants discussion.
It's December 29th (assuming you're reading this on schedule), and Balatro's 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—are likely fresh in your mind. Jimbo's creation has garnered widespread praise.
However, its success has also sparked confusion and even anger. Comparisons between its flashy marketing and relatively simple visuals have led some to question its award wins. The skepticism surrounding a simple deckbuilder achieving such recognition is notable.
This, I believe, is precisely why it's my GOTY pick. Before delving deeper, let's acknowledge some honorable mentions:
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 focus on attracting new viewers.
- Watch Dogs: Truth's audio-adventure release: An unexpected but intriguing choice by Ubisoft, given their past struggles with the Watch Dogs franchise.
My Balatro Experience:
My experience with Balatro has been mixed. It's undeniably engaging, but I haven't mastered it. The focus on optimizing deck statistics, which I find frustrating, has prevented me from completing runs despite many hours of play.
Despite this, it's been one of my best gaming purchases in years. It's simple, easily accessible, and not overly demanding. While not my ideal time-waster (that honor goes to Vampire Survivors), it's a strong contender.
Its visuals are pleasing, and gameplay is smooth. For $9.99, you get a captivating roguelike deckbuilder that's perfectly suitable for public play (the poker element might even make you seem like a gambling genius!). LocalThunk's ability to elevate a simple format is impressive.
The calming music and satisfying sound effects enhance the addictive gameplay loop. The game's addictive nature is subtly, not overtly, presented.
But you've likely heard this before. So why am I discussing it? For some, it's apparently not enough.
"It's just a game!"
Balatro isn't the most controversial release of the year (that title likely belongs to Astrobot, following its GOTY win at Big Geoff's awards). The reaction to Balatro highlights a common issue.
Balatro is unapologetically "gamey" in its design. It's visually appealing but not overly complex or flashy, lacking the typical retro aesthetic. It's not a cutting-edge tech demo; LocalThunk began development as a passion project, later recognizing its potential.
Its success confounds many, both critics and the general public. It's not a flashy gacha game, nor does it push technological boundaries. It's simply "a card game" to some.
And that's precisely the point. It's a well-executed card game with a fresh approach. Game quality should be judged on its core mechanics, not solely on visuals or flashy elements.
Substance Over Style
Balatro's success demonstrates that multi-platform releases don't need to be massive, cross-platform, cross-progression, multiplayer gacha adventures. Simple, well-executed games with unique style can resonate with mobile, console, and PC players.
While not a massive financial success, its low development costs likely resulted in significant profit for LocalThunk.
Balatro proves that you don't need cutting-edge graphics or complex gameplay to succeed. Sometimes, simplicity and well-executed design are enough.
My own struggles with Balatro highlight its versatility. Some players strive for optimal deck optimization; others, like myself, appreciate it as a relaxing pastime.
In conclusion, Balatro's success reinforces a crucial lesson: You don't need to be groundbreaking to be successful; sometimes, being a bit of a "joker" is all it takes.
