Balatro named Dope Indie Game of the Year
Arranger, 1000xResist, Hades II, Indika, and Thank Goodness You’re Here among other winners13.3.2025
Por Brian Crecente, Contributor
The first-ever Dope Indie Games of the Year Awards, created by the Media Indie Exchange, focuses on indies and celebrates the games and talented people behind the craft of game development.
A panel of selected streamers, influencers, and industry folks judged the inaugural event. According to the site, the criteria for nomination include that the game be released by Dec. 31, 2024, and that it was developed by a team independent of the resources, control, or owners of a “large corporation," according to the site.
Along with naming game winners for 20 awards, the panel also announced the show’s Indie Hero—director of communications and portfolio manager at Outersloth and director of comms at Innersloth, Victoria Tran—and the inaugural member of its Hall of Fame—indie game dev Derek Yu.
You can rewatch the awards show here, or check out the complete list of nominees and winners below.
Best Action
Winner: Nine Sols
Anger Foot
I am Your Beast
Kill Knight
MULLET MADJACK
Most Challenging
Winner: Nine Sols
Another Crab’s Treasure
MULLET MADJACK
Slave Zero X
UFO 50
Most Innovative
Winner: Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
Balatro
Pacific Drive
The Plucky Squire
UFO 50
Most Replayable
Winner: Balatro
Ballionaire
Core Keeper
Peglin
UFO 50
Best Hidden Gem
Winner: Arranger
Minishoot Adventures
SKALD: Against the Black Priory
Sorry We’re Closed
Yellow Taxi Goes Vroom
Best Tactical
Winner: Shogun Showdown
Arco
Children of the Sun
SteamWorld Heist II
Tactical Breach Wizards
Play with Friends
Winner: UFO 50
Buckshot Roulette
Content Warning
Core Keeper
Murky Divers
Micro Indie
Winner: Rusty’s Retirement
Arctic Eggs
Buckshot Roulette
Halls of Torment
Murky Divers
Best Game With a Message
Winner: 1000xRESIST
Arco
Minds Beneath Us
Neva
Tales of Kenzera: ZAU
Most Beautiful
Winner: Neva
30 Birds
Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus
MULLET MADJACK
Pacific Drive
Best Soundtrack
Winner: Another Crab’s Treasure
Beat Slayer
Nine Sols
Robobeat
Tales of Kenzera: ZAU
Best Retro
Winner: UFO 50
Crimson Diamond
Crow Country
Kitsune Tails
Yellow Taxi Goes Vroom
Cultural Impact
Winner: Tales of Kenzera: ZAU
Kitsune Tails
Nine Sols
Tavern Talk
Sorry We’re Closed
Best Early Access
Winner: Hades II
Enshrouded
Liar’s Bar
Manor Lords
Supermarket Simulator
Most Cozy
Winner: Little Kitty, Big City
Botany Manor
Flock
Paper Trail
Wilmot Works it Out
Best Laughs
Winner: Thank Goodness You’re Here!
Another Crab’s Treasure
ANTONBLAST
Squirrel with a Gun
WHAT THE CAR?
Best Character
Winner: INDIKA
Another Crab’s Treasure
ANTONBLAST
MULLET MADJACK
Nine Sols
Most Poppin!
Winner: Animal Well
Another Crab’s Treasure
Balatro
Content Warning
Squirrel with a Gun
Best Horror
Winner: Mouthwashing
Crow Country
Fear The Spotlight
Murky Divers
Still Wakes the Deep
Game of the Year
Winner: Balatro
Animal Well
ANTONBLAST
Arco
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
Mouthwashing
MULLET MADJACK
Tactical Breach Wizards
Thank Goodness You’re Here!
UFO 50