Barrett singing the fanfare music right before the GOTY reveal was a perfect head fake. Excellent editing.
@trevorcooper32683 күн бұрын
The only appropriately timed game of the year video on KZbin.
@jpraciunas2 күн бұрын
Preach 🙏
@joeyisabsb12 күн бұрын
I would agree if not for the fact that the extra time did not help. So many of them didn't finish Metaphor or FF7 Rebirth, Rebirth being the closest one to toppling Balatro.
@EasyAllies2 күн бұрын
If we had done it sooner, we wouldn't have gotten to play Indiana Jones at all, and I personally wouldn't have gotten to play stuff like 1000XResist, Indika, or Crow Country. I also wouldn't have likely been as high on Balatro, since I played it a lot more during the break nor would I have put any time into Rebirth. -Bloodworth
@AverageTESEnjoyer57833 күн бұрын
I'm currently playing Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown for the first time. What a masterpiece. One of the best Metroidvanias ever made. So glad it got featured here. The game deserved so much more.
Nominees: - Animal Well 1:51 - Astro Bot 2:42 - Balatro 3:33 - Dragon's Dogma II 4:15 - Final Fantasy VII Rebirth 5:01 - Indiana Jones and The Great Circle 5:48 - Indika 6:39 - Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth 7:30 - Metaphor ReFantazio 8:30 - Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown 9:18 - Silent Hill 2 Remake 10:12 - UFO50 11:03 GAME OF THE YEAR: 12:34
@justiceomally74342 күн бұрын
Like a dragon should have won, Silent Hill 2 was a disaster as with Rebirth. Astro boy was an attempt at a new PlayStation mascot, so i guess they are done with Little Big Planet forever then.
@Eric19361Күн бұрын
@@justiceomally7434LBP had its own charm, humor, and identity. Astrobot cribs from PlayStation’s history. I think the most it had going for it was its power ups, but those aren’t utilized to their full potential. No challenge to the gameplay either. Too linear.
@TheGrades902 күн бұрын
Huber and Isla doing the lord's work getting Dragon's Dogma 2 up there. My personal GOTY!
@blastedmcgraw1522 күн бұрын
It’s such a good game!
@GetShrekd2 күн бұрын
always nice to hear jones voice come back
@___IG2 күн бұрын
Rebirth was GOTY, don't @ me
@ericforsythКүн бұрын
To each his own... But yes. Yes it was.
@benfranklincatapplesharkКүн бұрын
hard agree
@maxbonerstorm984624 минут бұрын
Couldn't agree more
@seriomarkjКүн бұрын
The only lists and awards that matter...well done guys!!! Cheers
@pakkitman15 сағат бұрын
Indika getting a nod is great. We talk a lot about maturity in games but this walking sim/puzzler reminded me of some forgotten Criterion Channel classic, but it had a meaningful reason it exists as a game first and foremost. My GOTY
@tachiiderpКүн бұрын
I would've never bought balatro if not for influencers nominating it as game of the year. Oh boy did i get completely addicted with the gameplay. That perfect mix of minmaxing probability, constantly adapting to what cards was dealt to you, the wildly different combinations you can have each run, feels absolutely amazing even though im already 100 hours in, and already completed the 20 challenges.
@SacrosanctMD3 күн бұрын
Jones' voice is Ten out of Teeeennn
@Clow002 күн бұрын
Awesome List. Right now i'm playing Silent Hill 2, Prince of Persia and Indiana Jones. They're awesome games. Already played Balatro and FF7 Rebirth. Really good year for gaming.
@mattlandry2 күн бұрын
Such a great list of nominees! I disagreed with many outlets this year but this list is my jam!
@MrConeman2 күн бұрын
That Tekken 8 snub. I also think the GOTY will age like milk on this one, but I understand it's a personal list. EZA needs a new Ben. (Before anyone acuses me of fanboyism etc, my personal GOTY was Astrobot, but I'd put Silent Hill and Rebirth....and Tekken 8 all over the cards.)
@Ridghost2 күн бұрын
I agree. Where Balatro is like an amazing solo guitar performance, games like Rebirth, Astrobot and Silent Hill are a world class orchestra. Taking that individual genius, multiplying it by 100, and coordinating into something greater than any individual part could produce. Balatro's gameplay is fun, but is it defacto more fun than the others? Is the music better? Is the art better? To me, Balatro is the pinnacle of what 1 person can do, where one person has a great idea and decent ability in game making. But I wouldn't say it's world class in any specific element. Rebirth (my personal goty) was the pinnacle in multiple areas. By gathering a very large team of world class musicians, artists, programmers, writers, voice actors, managers, they've managed to synthesize a masterpiece made of masterpieces. Timeless music, best in class art direction & visuals, compelling story telling, brilliant VA, and a further perfection of their new combat system which is unique to FF7 Rebirth - with many other elements I will have missed.
@MrConeman2 күн бұрын
@Ridghost couldn't have put it better myself! I don't want to raise too much of a stink about it because this very video adds the disclaimer at the start that this is simply their personal pick of course, so that's all well and good - but there will be another S tier indie/card/roguelike game next year, and the year after, and the year before. Rebirth, Silent Hill, Astrobot etc are generational defining games. In 20 years when people talk about the defining games of this console cycle, those 3 are in the running, Balatro isn't. (Silent Hill 2 remake being generational defining is less true than the others, I will admit, but at the very least it's carrying on the legacy of the original generational defining PS2 era game)
@Zen.ConnectionКүн бұрын
Incredible editing and great selection of games!
@The_ClaymoresКүн бұрын
played 100+ hours of Balatro, won with almost every deck on almost all difficulties. The game is not a goty, its a fun addiction which gets stale
@vic101romanКүн бұрын
That was a big psych out at the end. Balatro is so good I'm afraid to turn it on because I struggle to turn it off
@sesiomКүн бұрын
So "sad" that Helldivers2 didn't reach the Allies, it's so hard to make a good Coop game, and the attention to detail in this one is just insane. Excelent edditing by the way, the final reveal was just perfect. For another year of great games!
@EasyAlliesКүн бұрын
We talked about Helldivers a lot in our personal picks stream!
@Eric19361Күн бұрын
As much as I liked it, the progression didn’t feel rewarding. The little story that existed didn’t make me want to inhabit that world. Too stressful to play with friends. It starts to feel rote over many hours. The armor customization is bland.
@sesiomКүн бұрын
@ I have been playing since launch non stop with friends, every game is like living an action movie. Personally I prefer games without player levels that make you more powerful just by your playing hours, in this case you unlock mostly weapons and support artillery etc. and your friends can share the guns that you don't have. I play to enjoy every game more than to unlock something new etc. But every player their style ofc. The story is in the progress of the war itself and the moments you create with your teammates, there is interesting lore for people that like to dig on lore. 554 hours played and counting :D
@sesiomКүн бұрын
@ Nice! gonna watch it on the weekend :)
@Eric19361Күн бұрын
@@sesiom Yeah I think it would be more fun just to complete objectives casually with friends since the progression didn’t feel rewarding personally. I do wish the unlockable weapons and gear were weirder. But it does have a semi-realistic approach to warfare. I’m glad you like it so much! Is there actually the potential to lose the war or a theater of war to the insects/robots? The whole community progress war map didn’t feel like it had stakes but maybe I didn’t play enough
@alek15343 күн бұрын
The twist gets me every year! That editing is bonkers good and love the writing and delivery. Thanks so much everyone for everything you do. L&R
@toodlesX14Күн бұрын
Heck yeah Balatro! Comparing it to Tetris is 100% warranted, it is a perfect game right down to the ones and zeros.
@tarutso2 күн бұрын
Good list but got it wrong. It's FF7 Rebirth of course guys come on!!!
@alexandremorim8833 күн бұрын
My personal GOTY is Prince Of Persia: The Lost Crown.
@The_RedVIII3 күн бұрын
Didn't you use to have multiple categories once? I kinda miss best music/score and stuff like that. :(
@EasyAllies3 күн бұрын
Those are part of our personal picks stream now. We were live for most of the day, and that archive will go up here on KZbin tomorrow. -Bloodworth
@organiclou25163 күн бұрын
No you’re beautiful Jones!
@benfranklincatapplesharkКүн бұрын
Was that spicy shots-fired comment from Jones just something the EZA team put in the script, or was this a direct quote from Ubisoft that they used to explain the bad sales to their board that I missed this year?
@EasyAlliesКүн бұрын
That was an off-the-cuff outtake from Jones in the VO booth. It was not intended to be in the video, but Isla thought it was too good to leave on the cutting room floor. -Bloodworth
@Uhcip3 күн бұрын
2 Metroidvanias but no Nine Sols is wild
@nabsthegodgamer54192 күн бұрын
They were hotter on Lost Crown than Nine Sols. Heavily disagree but it’s fine tbh Animal Well is a completely different flavor of metroidvania though
@MrWhygodwhy2 күн бұрын
@@nabsthegodgamer5419I also liked Prince of Persia more but Nine Sols was amazing and the rate that both of them have been getting snubbed is insane to me. Especially when the indie darling this year is just a timewaster game.
@AlexanderArts3 күн бұрын
I haven't played Balatro but I am guessing this choice will at least age better than the Hearthstone GOTY. For me, this kind of game can be the most "fun" of the year when you're addicted to it, but not actually the greatest. I enjoyed seeing some of my favorites amongst the nominees.
@Enigmalake2 күн бұрын
It’s a fun little game but game of the year? Not for me and with some of the games that came out seems like an overthinking trying to be cool pick
@spike1202 күн бұрын
@@Enigmalakegood thing this isn't a video to announce your game of the year then
@Enigmalake2 күн бұрын
@@spike120 what’s that have to do with anything? Comments are here to comment. They could pick Concord and I just can’t say anything about it? Ridiculous argument. To me they didn’t give a good reason why Balatro will be thought of as a classic. Heck most gamers don’t even know what it is. To me last year bang on balls chronicles was an awesome and unknown game but I wouldn’t say it’s game of the year just to garner it a little more spotlight.
@MrWhygodwhy2 күн бұрын
@@spike120But the comment section sure is! It is UFO 50. Thanks for asking.
@Enigmalake2 күн бұрын
Balatro was kind of cool for a few hours. Game of the year seems wild to me
@ZerrothКүн бұрын
I got sick of the game after about 17 hours. Felt boring and repetitive. Lots of terrible, useless jokers.
@MrWhygodwhy21 сағат бұрын
I'm always shocked when these timewaster games like Balatro or Vampire Survivors are put on a pedestal. It's like going to check out the new michelin star restaurant and its a place that just sells a particularily good bag of chips. Look, chips are nice and are crazy addictive. I could eat the whole bag. But it is forgettable and I'm gonna feel bloated afterwards. They would never qualify as a great meal to me.
@dibils2 күн бұрын
are we getting a fantasy critic round up this year
@EasyAllies2 күн бұрын
We will! We’ve just had some delays due to illness and wildfires, but we are planning on it - Gabby
@Trai1b1aze3 күн бұрын
Appreciate the different takes/viewpoint. I've played around 10 hours of Balatro(6hrs on steam deck, 4hrs on PC) and for me personally, it's a solid 7.5/10 game.
@ramentaco_2 күн бұрын
RE4 remake last year and balatro this year? Is it just coming down to which game the most people played?
@MrWhygodwhy2 күн бұрын
If they did that, Black Myth Wukong would have won. People just really like their mobile tier timewasters like Balatro and Vampire Survivors I guess.
@alastairmacgregor19523 күн бұрын
Shots fired Jones was 😂😂😂😂
@GigaMan912 күн бұрын
I like that they were in alphabetical order.
@jabbawabs3 күн бұрын
Not entirely sure about the absence of a certain Clone-based video game from this list but I can respect the winner choice. Excellent pick
@Hellwoven3 күн бұрын
what game?
@timvaningen51333 күн бұрын
@@Hellwoven 1000xResist. It was on their bucketlist, but didn't make it into the top 12, unfortunately.
@StageLXdkКүн бұрын
I miss Brandon Jones's voice! That man can read a script like its nobody's business!
@ArtM13 күн бұрын
I miss old EZA sooo much. 😔
@luisgino4452 күн бұрын
Old EZA would have given this award to FF7 Rebirth, too. 😢 Just miss the whole dynamic of the old group. It’s like the when the Beatles broke apart, they were much better altogether.
@ArtM12 күн бұрын
@@luisgino445 My exact same thoughts.
@Duken13yt2 күн бұрын
I miss the GameTrailers days
@RL-hs8pw2 күн бұрын
@@luisgino445exactly 10 years ago GT’s GOTY 2014 was a card game too ;)
@GigaMan912 күн бұрын
The feelings on Balatro mirror my feelings on Vampire Survivors. I played VS for the first time last year, and that was easily my GOTY.
@MrWhygodwhy2 күн бұрын
Vampire Survivors is the other game besides Balatro that got popular that to me feel insubstantial and gimmicky. They feel like eating a bag of chips or some other empty calorie compared to having a full meal, aka, timewasters essentially. Something to have absent mindedly going on a second screen. I sincerely do not understand how they could be considered GOTY material.
@ChrisLT3 күн бұрын
Ah yes, the game I'm afraid to start.
@alexs_toy_barn3 күн бұрын
Don't be, it's overrated, a very good 8/10 but hardly the life-ruining addition that reviewers keep saying it is
@nabsthegodgamer54192 күн бұрын
@@alexs_toy_barn more like life-saving addiction, shit’s so good
@MrWhygodwhy2 күн бұрын
@@nabsthegodgamer5419It's just a timewaster game though. How is that GOTY?
@christaggart568712 сағат бұрын
Balatro winning over Ff7 rebirth earned you a downvote and an unsubscribe. There is no world whatsoever where that should win over Rebirth. FF7 has its own freaking “Balatro” in the game itself in the form of Queens Blood. To me, this Kills your credibility. Best indie game perhaps.. but greatest game of the whole year? It’s either a disingenuous fakeout for comments, or a lack of understanding industry standards and what the greatest game should represent. Either way, I can’t trust you.
@kingofthesharks2 күн бұрын
Looks like Prince of Persia lost the crown
@Asmodeus5623 күн бұрын
Queens blood is better
@DzekoVelez2 күн бұрын
Not really, queens blood is easily beatable all the way through with like 1 or 2 decks
@absolutestyle107822 сағат бұрын
@@DzekoVelez the point being that it is only like 2% of the entire game
@Aignith2 күн бұрын
Before the reveal I said: I am going to be super pissed if it is not FF7Rebirth.... Unless it's Balatro
@stepanhakobyan3 күн бұрын
World of Goo 2 ((( no love for it.
@masonl873 күн бұрын
Did not see that coming, but I am thrilled to see it win.
@DOTQWERTY2183 күн бұрын
Nice video, I had to skim it for now but will watch it tomorrow again, but any thoughts from easy allies on stellar blade? I found it to be one of my favorite releases this year. The christmas update was really cute. Kind of reminds me of how some older sega games would have christmas stuff.
@PeachBootyPoppin2 күн бұрын
It was their honorable mention #13. Huber loved it.
@EasyAllies2 күн бұрын
We talked about Stellar Blade in both in our GOTY deliberations & our Personal Picks stream!
@scipio64032 күн бұрын
sick editing
@FedouBC3 күн бұрын
I own the GOTY, I've played the GOTY like 40hrs... I don't get why is GOTY and the mega hype behind it tbh, but I always respect your opinion.
@hododod2462 күн бұрын
no specific awards? Like best 7, best 1 evening game, best weapon...
@Ridnarhtim2 күн бұрын
I believe they're doing that in a separate video, or possibly only the discussion video? Either way, they decided last year that it was just too much effort (and time spent debating) to actually pick a winner in each of those categories.
@hemangchauhan28643 күн бұрын
Ooohh! Surprise pick! And great set of nominations.
@donnymuppeteat2 күн бұрын
Just say no to Balatro. Sorry I don't care for card games or games that don't have a narrative. . However, I acknowledge that others enjoy them. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is hands down my game of the year, with Like A Dragon Infinite Wealth as runner up.
@cocozimme2 күн бұрын
I've put over a thousand hours into balatro last year, but game of the year was metaphor
@Joelio87013 сағат бұрын
Rebirth. Next!
@timogul3 күн бұрын
Not my game, but I can understand it. You guys didn't play Zenless zone Zero, so you wouldn't know.
@jacktyler10823 күн бұрын
Astro Bot is my GOTY 2024.
@Eric19361Күн бұрын
I’m just incredibly happy Astro bot didn’t win. As much as the art direction, sound design, dualsense features, and level design were great, it lacked challenge, identity, enemy variety, and movement variety. Think about the difference between Astrobot’s movement capability and expression compared to Mario. In Mario games its easy to learn, hard to master. So much potential for move combinations and platforming freedom. It feels so good to pull off different moves and unintentional shortcuts through skilled play. The levels were also generic in their settings besides the special Playstation homage levels. I want to see Astrobot in a universe of his own.
@jaredhee41943 күн бұрын
what's the intro song?
@catwoe57073 күн бұрын
it's literally on the video (see top left)
@tonatiuhabrego13102 күн бұрын
No Tekken 8 breaks my heart
@Enigmalake2 күн бұрын
None of the crew are into fighters. Which for a video game channel is odd. You can’t say the best burger is Mickey d’s just bc 5 burger joints are near you and that’s that
@tonatiuhabrego13102 күн бұрын
@Enigmalake yeah I know they're not into fighters but the critical acclaim from Tekken 8 is undeniable. The waves it made in the industry and news around it makes it a frontrunner. Look at how they nominated Street Fighter 6 last year. Tekken 8 is the same thing. Should have been in there over several nominees on the list. And I would have knocked out Balatro, even (yes I'm not a fan of it)
@Enigmalake2 күн бұрын
@ I didn’t see them praise or discuss Guilty gear strive either
@tonatiuhabrego13102 күн бұрын
@@Enigmalake As much as I love Strive, I understand that a lot more than Tekken 8. It's much more niche (pronounced NEESH :P)
@Enigmalake2 күн бұрын
@ yeah it is. Love the music, graphics and art style. I’m not a hardcore fighter gamer but I play about all of them. Great for casual quick plays for me
@richardkhchang2 күн бұрын
One of the few times I've agreed with a GOTY winner.
@bruinfan052 күн бұрын
Algo
@juhom60193 күн бұрын
KZbin channel of the year goes to Easy Allies💜💚
@RatAvenue3 күн бұрын
I was half expecting you guys to pick SH2 Remake ngl.
@rafaelikenaga2 күн бұрын
ok
@Maxbeedo22 күн бұрын
As excellent as 2024 was, every game I played I had at least one big problem with, so almost any winner could've felt justified. Love the Jones shots.
@TheLegOfTime3 күн бұрын
Do the Allies let the developer know that they won?
@EasyAllies3 күн бұрын
yep, they've already been emailed. -Bloodworth
@pabloleiva85682 күн бұрын
@@EasyAllies Did they replied back with a Jimbo picture?
@EasyAllies2 күн бұрын
On Twitter, yes. -Bloodworth
@archonrex56002 күн бұрын
L&R!!!
@pissant422 күн бұрын
Dragon's Dogma 2 was absolutely robbed
@willjohnboy3 күн бұрын
Lame choice
@braskabani80113 күн бұрын
Fantasian neo dimension is the best jrpg easily of 2024
@KoolKojoS3 күн бұрын
Saw the thumbnail and had to stop by ❤
@TanManVEVO3 күн бұрын
Been playing Balatro over the past month since seeing it at Geoff’s show and yeah totally agree this game is insanely goated.
@ronsil68153 күн бұрын
Bring back Frame Trap
@ArtM13 күн бұрын
They are barely afloat. They lost the best talent they had and now they are just a shadow of their former selves.
@tonatiuhabrego13103 күн бұрын
BOOOOOO BALATRO
@TKUltra9713 күн бұрын
Rebirth was a critical flop that is doing nothing more but running Square Enix deeper into the red. Anyone who says this game is a GOTY anything is incredibly SUS. Hell dude, it wasn't even a good game by is own merits. No one can even explain what it tries to be anymore. Its "a thing".
@zevolta883 күн бұрын
Always that one guy that tries to be edgy, end of the day runs their mouth with zero sense. You win that medal today.
@darrylaz35703 күн бұрын
Somebody hasn't seen the video.
@TKUltra9713 күн бұрын
@ "catch phrase!"
@TKUltra9713 күн бұрын
@ and recycling my own words. wow. impressive. 🧑🌾 Through the years watching you guys larp on and on about this thing, you've heard some excuses not even a politician could muster.
@mr.gamingz3 күн бұрын
@TKUltra971 Then im SUS. I dont care. Its MY opinion and an outstanding game. Deal with it.
@luisgustavopecanha55072 күн бұрын
Rightfully so, no Black Myth Wukong.
@tootall19993 күн бұрын
Good pick and nominees
@aintthatapotofeffluck89262 күн бұрын
Balatro? Yeah yall fell off. 🤣
@elementInfinitium3 күн бұрын
Solid pick
@MrWhygodwhy2 күн бұрын
Balatro is overrated as fuck at this point.
@absolutestyle107822 сағат бұрын
yeah I see it as developers capitalizing on gambling addictions
@SonnyPlaystation3 күн бұрын
Need to bring back ratios on videos now. Creators are getting senile lol. Pathetic.
@maestromgx2 күн бұрын
BALATRO SWEEEEP 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️
@jearl25183 күн бұрын
As much as I love many of those games nominated, Balatro is the one I'm going to be going back and playing regularly for years from now. Great, great choice.
@geneticjen93122 күн бұрын
Obvious winner. Very deserved. Still playing. What a gem
@rockybalboa64052 күн бұрын
Black Myth Wukong is a similar experience to the LOTR movies, it's crazy that Black Myth Wukong isn't even among the nominees, and it's a completely higher level than all the mentioned games... This is being said by someone who is not a fan of Dark Souls games and that battle system. I'd love to hear from any of you why that game isn't good enough?
@Torrybobs2 күн бұрын
I was excited to play it but the devs said is not for women and they don’t need women to play it, so I respectfully obliged even though I was disappointed since it looked great 😅
@rockybalboa64052 күн бұрын
@Torrybobs A-ha, now I understand 🤣🤣
@ericforsythКүн бұрын
It's objectively not "a completely higher level than all the mentioned games". You might like it better, but if you think it's "a completely higher level than all the mentioned games", that's displaying incredibly heavy bias (and/or ignorance from not having played all the other games).
@panagiotistanner9093 күн бұрын
Yeah sure!
@christopheraustin59153 күн бұрын
Its winner by virtue of how it has wormed its way into just about everyone’s library
@joshuacameron53333 күн бұрын
Guys come on…. 🙄 This is the Heartstone fiasco all over again. This will age very poorly.
@patdzon3 күн бұрын
Ehhh...
@moosevelt91483 күн бұрын
Bold and respectable choice, Allies, here's to another year of great and worthy games Also that Jones cut in lol
@AntMilt12 күн бұрын
Lol a card game won game of the year? What a joke.
@KeyT3ch3 күн бұрын
No mention of Black Myth Wukong...come on...really...not even a nomination? Come on...like come on...
@EasyAllies3 күн бұрын
It didn't make our top 12, but it was explicitly given a nod in the intro. -Bloodworth
@KeyT3ch3 күн бұрын
@@EasyAllies My bad for missing the intro. But I think it can EASILY be slotted in as a 13th entry. Every other nominee were fantastic as well
@volioze42052 күн бұрын
Thats their top, not yours
@MrWhygodwhy2 күн бұрын
Black Myth Wukong is mid at best.
@SonnyPlaystation3 күн бұрын
Lol lame
@313gwar2 күн бұрын
A card game… really?
@luklopskywalk3 күн бұрын
....hm...no
@AwesomeYears3 күн бұрын
Nice FF7 fake out lmao
@SonnyPlaystation3 күн бұрын
Yea screw ff7 and ambitious games like that. Play cards!
@JCO783 күн бұрын
@@SonnyPlaystation cry more
@kaleidoscope60433 күн бұрын
Balatro deserves it every step of the way.
@ralfiejr343 күн бұрын
So edgy
@megyskermike3 күн бұрын
I feel like so many of these titles were absurdly overrated, sadly (big fan of a lot of these franchises and/or devs). I dont think it was that great a year, honestly.
@SIXminWHISTLE2 күн бұрын
Here comes the malding Rebirth fans
@thefearmakerlive3 күн бұрын
Great choice, it was my GOTY as well. I loved most of Infinite Wealth (except the last chapter) Veilguard (last boss was too easy) and Dragon's Dogma 2 (glitched out on me during the secret ending because an NPC died, and I couldn't finish the real ending). Rebirth had some great moments but a lot of filler, and I did not like Metaphor Refantazio at all. I finished it, but only because I love Persona 5 so much, and I wanted to keep giving Metaphor a chance. Also Stellar Blade and Tekken 8 were really good as well. Also Started Granblue Fantasy Relink, it was good, but I haven't finished it. (As January through March had some big & long RPGs) But even with that, Balatro was by far my favorite game of the year, and the game I spent most hours in, it was expertly designed. Again, great choice for GOTY!