For whatever reason, there was nothing that really grabbed me last year in terms of selecting a Game of the Year in our big Pure Xbox poll - even the likes of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 and Metaphor: ReFantazio were titles that I just couldn't get invested in beyond the first couple of hours.
In fact, do you know what I voted as my Pure Xbox Game of the Year for 2024? Aaero 2, which is a rhythm game that perhaps 0.5% of people reading this opinion piece have actually played. It's an amazing title, but it's also lost in a sea of high-quality indie games that are releasing all the time - and most importantly, it's not part of Xbox Game Pass.
Game Pass can be the catalyst for proving to large groups of players that you've created something special, and Aaero 2 would really have benefited from that. That said, it's thanks to Game Pass that I've found something that's actually replaced Aaero 2 at the top of my list, and unsurprisingly it's the ultra-addictive indie hit Balatro.
I first played Balatro back when it was released in February of last year, but quickly refunded it on Steam and decided that I couldn't get into a game that's based around poker. I didn't understand poker hands, the game just seemed a bit simplistic to me, and to be honest I wasn't really in the right mindset to get fully invested in it.
Over the year though, I'd occasionally read an article or watch a YouTube video about why Balatro was the best game of 2024, and yet it felt like nobody could really explain it. You have some cards, you have to play some poker hands to earn points, and then there are Jokers that modify your cards and allow you to earn more points. OK, that sounds alright I guess, but is there really enough depth here to turn this into a Game of the Year candidate?
The answer is yes, and it's taken Xbox Game Pass to reveal it to me. Since starting it over the weekend, I've become enraptured by its addictive qualities and trying to constantly beat my previous run, and I've already bought it for another platform already! It's definitely got that "just one more game" feel, and I could see myself playing it for decades.
I'm not going to discuss the intricacies of Balatro right now - there are plenty of people in the comments who will likely help out with that if you wish (as will our review), and to be honest I think it's just a game you need to play for yourself. Give it a try, allow at least an hour to see if you become invested by it, and be warned that it can be very addictive.
What I really want to sum up is that this is what Xbox Game Pass can do. There are so many great games I've played via the service that I'd never have tried otherwise, and it takes a situation like this to remind me that I probably don't delve into the library enough. We've seen so many exciting additions in 2025 alone, and it's only been two months!
Don't forget about the stuff outside of Game Pass too though. We highlight some of the most intriguing Xbox indie games every month here at Pure Xbox, and there are many more besides - players are getting treated to some amazing stuff right now, and in an ideal world, Game Pass would provide them all with the visibility they truly deserve.
Did you play your Game of the Year on Xbox Game Pass in 2024? Let us know down in the comments.
Comments 44
Game Pass is indeed the gift that keeps on giving.
I have Balatro since Day 1, and it's an amazing little title well deserving of all tge praise it gets.
My favorite "just one more game" title is still (which on its own made me fall in love with both the auto-shooter/bullet heaven and roguelike/roguelite genres) but Balatro is a simple game with a simple goal: being fun.
Both games are the definition of "don't judge a book by its cover" too.
Balatro doesn't make my top 10 list or top indie list. I didn't gel with it at all.
I think it's all different per person, the game pass hasn't affected my goty yet I've had the game pass from day one
Been casually playing Balatro and cleared four decks so far.
Its an ok game to kill 30 minutes or so but I can't see myself spending hours playing it obsessively. I am not into poker or card games in general enough to want to do that.
Game pass itself to me is good value generally but will have hit & miss months with its content. Often I have several miss months in a row which can be a little frustrating at the time but its usually more good than bad when I look at it as a whole.
Each to their own.. I played a few hours, didnt go back. that doesnt seem to be the normal sentitment I'll admit
The fact you couldn't even play indy for more than a couple of hours answers a lot of questions for me though...
What still motivates you to run a web-site about gaming? Its an honest question..please ignore me if it causes any offense, I genuinely don't intend any. I just wonder what happens when you pick a career path and fall out of love with the subject you cover..as you could quite easily have played your fave games on an android phone and not a current gen console at all.
I'm going to have to give this a go. In general I don't get hooked by 'one more go' type games, but Game Pass allows me to try it for zero extra cost, so I will!
Balatro was for me last year's goty too. I love that game to pieces.
But this isn't really a surprise to me. Most years seem to throw up at least one absolute indie classic that grabs me and won't let go.
Off the top of my head -
Stardew valley
Death's Door
Hades
Celeste
Axiom Verge
Hollow Knight
Undertale
And these are just the headline ones.
A great article for a great game. I still play on the Switch simply because I can take it anywhere with me if I need too. I must have a look at that Aaero 2 as well 👍
@Titntin No offense taken!
I haven't fallen out of love with Xbox, I just gravitate to certain games more than others. That's always been the case since PX started back up in 2020 (five-year anniversary coming up this Friday!).
Instead of Indiana Jones, I'm playing Balatro.
Instead of Hellblade 2, I'm playing Baldur's Gate 3.
Instead of Metaphor: ReFantazio, I'm playing WWE 2K25.
Obviously I'm very invested in what Xbox is doing in regards to its first-party titles, but in terms of spending tens of hours with them, it really just depends on the game and how interested I am in it.
Fortunately we've got members of the Pure Xbox team who are more suited for certain first-party titles than others, and therefore we pick our reviewers based on that. I'm generally more of a third-party kind of guy, but it's not a rule - just depends on the game. 🤷♂️
@FraserG Thanks for your reply, really appreciated. Glad to hear some tentpole titles still do it for you! (BG3)
Have a great one!
Balatro was my #2 last year and honestly that’s only because I’m a Final Fantasy Stan. Lol. Impeccable game. Truly remarkable. I’d potentially put Balatro in my top 20 games of all time, depending how I’d format a list like that
The game was so addictive....untill I completed a run ...haven't played it since lol
i’m about 140 hours in (bought at release but for steam due to the Steam Deck) and still enjoy throwing it on for a quick 30 minute go. Not sure how many decks i still have to do.
Gamepass is best thing ever 😎it's mad that more people don't have it or there's as many people who moan on all the games on it on review section when they drop
@Medic_alert don't forget ghost song, eastward,echo generation, signalis, ravenlok😎
Played it on Gamepass for a few hours then immediately deleted it and bought it on mobile instead so I could play it more often. Had it on Switch last year but hadn't played for a few months. Forgot how good it is.
@Decimateh I haven't played any of those!
And that's the great thing about these games, there are so many to choose from and I love that so many bring something new to the table.
They are my AAA palate cleansers.
@Medic_alert they were all good 😎 and ye IV played a few games now that I probs wouldn't have or some never even knew about if wernt for gamepass 😅I don't really play AAA hardly these days too many good indies 🤣
I loved it, but I'm also really into poker as well so I'm the target audience. One of the harder rogue likes I've played, especially in the beginning.
I played all 5 of my top 5 of 2024 on Xbox but none were on game pass
Dragons Dogma 2
Shadow of the Erdtree
Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth
Metaphor Refantazio
Space Marine 2
That said, I played my favorite game of all time on game pass and chances are I wouldn't have if it wasn't on there (Outer Wilds). So I get it.
@Titntin I don't mean to pick a fight but saying that someone doesn't like games anymore because they didn't like Indiana Jones is an insane take. It's a genre I can't play without literally falling asleep, a major reason that I've never been even slightly tempted to buy a playstation. The last one I forced myself to try was Guardians of the Galaxy which I barely pushed through the first level. I've been watching my wife play through Indy as I surf the web on the couch and it looks good if you like that kind of game, but it's NOT everyone's kind of game.
I have yet to play this (currently three quarters the way through of maxing out Rare Replay - which is surprisingly easier than I thought for the older games) but this is next on my list - either after Shadows or during.
@Jenkinss
"I don't mean to pick a fight but" is definitely the equivalent of "I'm not racist but".
How about I try and phrase what I think your question is in a way that's less hostile, so we can talk without any aggressive nonsense?
"Why would you question Frasers love of games because he doesn't enjoy Indiana Jones?" - appears to be what you are asking, and I'm happy to reply.
Firstly, it was not just Indy, it was also Hellblade 2 and Refantasio, that he specifically mentioned he could not play more than a couple of hour's of - all huge massive titles that were up for awards and helped define what popular gaming was last year, and in two of those cases were tentpole titles for the Xbox. The only games he mentioned in the piece that he liked last year could have been played on a mobile.
For anyone who did not work in the industry, not worth a comment as people will choose their own games and many people such as yourself might not not get anything from such titles.
However, my assumption, and indeed my own experience of working with AAA games for more than 2 decade, is that when its your business, you often play games to analyse where the industry is going and what makes them so popular with peers and the public alike. I often played games I would not choose myself, to understand their design philosophy or why a particular engine or system was held in such high regard. I considered it part of being in the business of games and I wrongly assumed that this might be the case for journalists who run a major site dedicated to gaming.
I might not have phrased it well, but I thought I was polite and Fraser was kind enough to reply, and confirmed he was not upset by my query and explained he has other titles he plays instead and has staff he can rely on to feedback to him on the titles he does not want to play.
I believe the question was not even remotely "insane" and it elicited a response from Fraser that gave us more insight into how he gathers his information and opinions on games, which was the objective of the question.
If Fraser can forgive my inelegant question without assuming insanity, then I hope you can too now that I have provided further context.
Even if not, I still wish you and any other member of this site well and I hope you have a great day.
@FraserG whats your strategy? I seem to keep winning by only sticking to flush and playing Jupiter cards.
I currently have 11 hours into this game. I love it. I've complete 2-3 runs, I can't remember exactly how many but it's definitely multiple runs completed. I've sat down and played this for a couple hours after getting sucked into "just one more game"! I've also used this game as quick sessions to provide a break from playing more story driven games. I also played this game when I've had only 15-20 minutes to game. The game is simple yet very strategic. I find it to really shine when you stumble upon a combination of joker cards that just shoot your scores up.
@Beetlebum91 I know the question wasn't directed at me but I find it interesting. I tend to use straights or two pair a lot and I was just thinking about if other gamers had a tendency to lean on a specific hand like me. The flush is something I always forget to look for.
I'm going to be torn apart for saying this, but I simply don't see the appeal of these viral indie games. I tried a lot of them and I simply never felt that "rush" that a lot of gamers are claiming to have. I respect the devs and I'm happy for the success of Balatro, but that niche segment isn't simply for me. AA games should get more attention too.
@Titntin
>I might not have phrased it well
Indeed and good day.
@dkxcalibur all good mate, good to see other strategies. I need to try different hands more.
@dkxcalibur I was half asleep when I responded earlier. The flush is pretty reliable as you just have to have 5 of the same suit which is pretty easy. I'm sure other strategies are just as good or better.
@Beetlebum91 Flush and Jupiter are my go-tos as well. Also if you can get the Joker that allows Flush and Straight with only 4 cards then 👌
I might actually agree based on the amount of time I played it. I'm sure there were other games people would choose for GOTY, but I'm 40 so the time I have for gaming isn't what it used to be but I found myself wanting to play Balatro for it's rogue premise, playing up to ten runs straight. I'm looking forward to the new Doom coming out and still waiting for Hades 2 xbox release.
@Medic_alert agree! waiting for Hades 2 and has there been a confirmed sequel to Hollow Knight yet?
@OcelotRevolver Silk song is the sequel to Hollow knight but it has been missing in action for some time now when it was supposed to be out a while back.
Fingers crossed it doesn't become vapourware
@K1LLEGAL and the taro card for repeating last played planet card just makes it even better. I know what I'm doing when I get home from work now haha.
Was bored of baltro after 10 mins really dont understand the hype
@Beetlebum91 @dkxcalibur I'm still just experimenting with strategies at the moment, but my current go-to is to level up the Two Pair and Straight as much as possible. Doesn't seem to result in that much success though!
@FraserG try the flush and Jupiter, you might be surprised
@Beetlebum91 Will give it a go, thanks 👌
@FraserG @Beetlebum91 For some reason I always seem to gravitate to the Two Pair and Straight as well. I find the hand isn't near as important as the Joker combos.
I never saw the fuss for this one. Good time waster in mobile. Phone, but nothing I’d play if I have access to my consoles.
@FraserG same. Two pair and straight are the most played hands on every run I've had. So I build my joker deck as much towards those two as possible.
Xbox gamepass ultimate has changed the way my wife and I enjoy games forever. We get to try amazing games that we never would've bought otherwise, then on top of that any game we fall in love with we get a 20% discount with gamepass to make the game ours. This is how we acquired the brilliant Indiana Jones and the Great Circle as well as the phenomenal Avowed. These games may exist in gamepass forever but if not I find comfort knowing I've got them in my digital library, it's funny enough that both Indiana Jones and Avowed are both games that can be played multiple times. I'd definitely say gamepass has made a massive impact on our gaming hobby this generation. I haven't even begun to discuss the brillance that is Xbox Cloud Gaming lol.
@dkxcalibur @FraserG in saying that, you all seem to use the same strategy and it seems to work so I'll give that a go too!
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