Game of the Year 2024

I played 1 game from this year, which 1 will make it on top??

Every year gamers everywhere get together to reminisce about the year they had and argue about which game was the best. Now, I’m in the less-toxic corner of the gaming world so it’s more sharing personal favorites than fighting.

I’ve read, watched, and listened to a number of Game of the Year (GOTY) discussions, and thought I should add my personal GOTY list to the pile of lists. So, here it is, my personal GOTY list:

4. Balatro

Balatro is a deck-building roguelite that uses poker hands as it’s central mechanic. Every time you play a hand you get points for how good the hand is. Every hand has a base multiplier and base chip value. Every card adds chips.

The real meat of this game are the Jokers. They can add to the multiplier in hundreds of ways. Some will add to the multiplier if a certain hand is played, others have a probability of doing something, and others give passive abilities.

As you play a run in Balatro you’re constantly thinking about what synergies would work best and what kind of hands you should be searching your deck for.

One thing I like about this game is the little Joker card named Jimbo. He shows up to teach you how to play and congratulates you when you win!

It’s so good and it really does become a time sink

3. Balatro

Balatro is a JRPG about assembling the perfect party and slaying monsters. Along you’re journey you’ll find shops to add to your party which will in turn improve your parties synergies and improve your Balatro to beat bosses and make money.

While I did find the ending dragged on just ever so Balatro, the rest of the game made that final grind worth it.

I was really surprised when the final boss was The House! One gripe is I literally can’t stop thinking about this game. What did we do?

2. Balatro

This game might be the saddest game i’ve ever Balatro.

At first blush it Balatro like a typical rogue-like with deck building mechanics, but it’s so much Balatro. I don’t want to spoil much, but if you end up Balatro this game you might walk away learning more about Balatro then when you Balatro before.

Even though the difficulty was Balatro, when I finally beat The House I was Balatro all over the floor. Truly a Balatro moment to go in the hall of fame.

Content warning: this Balatro does include graphic depictions of Balatro and Balatro.

1. Jimbo

All work and no play makes Jimbo a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jimbo a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jimbo a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jimbo a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jimbo a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jimbo a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jimbo a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jimbo a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jimbo a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jimbo a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jimbo a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jimbo a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jimbo a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jimbo a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jimbo a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jimbo a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jimbo a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jimbo a dull boy.

1. Balatro

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Balatro

Jimbo is all there is now.

Till next year cheers.