Thread by @Ludokultur

#GameOfTheYear thread! 🏆

#GOTY 1/11
Super Auto Pets by @TeamWoodGames is a simple, yet surprisingly deep auto-battler. Its true genius lies in its laid-back asynchronous format. You can play a full run in 10 minutes without ever waiting for anyone, but also take breaks anytime.

#GOTY 2/11
Roguebook (@PlayRoguebook) is the best #roguelike deck-builder of 2021 for me. It didn't really break genre conventions, but did enough to stand on its own (such as heroes switching positions all the time for special effects, or the overworld map exploration part).

#GOTY 3/11
Gem Wizards Tactics is a true @keithburgun game in how it boils down tactical combat to where it's at its most interesting and builds an intricate, massively replayable system of emergent depth on top of that. So many unique situations and creative combos to explore!

#GOTY 4/11
Modern classic @RocketLeague came to mobile as @RLSideswipe. I applaud the decision to go for a 2D playing field, which makes this so much better to play on mobile than a 1:1 port would have been. In some aspects it even outdoes its big brother. Very efficient and fun!

#GOTY 5/11
Loop Hero by @_FQteam had one of the most cohesive audiovisual styles of the year and a very creative gameplay hook: A #roguelike where you control everything but the avatar. Build the world, set up monsters, choose your equipment and then watch a hero go in circles.

#GOTY 6/11
Slice & Dice by @ColourTann is easily dice game of the year (unless you count @syberfeldt's Circadian Dice amazing 2.0 update). Lots of well-designed interplay, modes (including the shortcut mode I've been wanting for #roguelike games for years) and great game feel!

#GOTY 7/11
Dungeon Deathball by @crowbarska improved massively through its early-access phase and came out as one of the best tactics games of the year. It's kind of Into the Breach with a ball and, as we know, turning a game into a ball sport usually makes things super spicy! 🏀

#GOTY 8/11
Pawnbarian by @_j4nw is basically #roguelike chess and probably my favorite single-actor tactics game since Seven Scrolls by @JesseVenbrux. The deck-building aspect is reduced really nicely to support the tactical gameplay without stealing its spotlight.

#GOTY 9/11
Curious Expedition 2 by @maschimensch had a rough start last year but through a series of exemplary updates during and after early access, it managed to at least get on par with the awesome original game. Director mode might even be my favorite way to play CE ever.

#GOTY 10/11
Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon by @YachtClubGames is a highly polished #roguelike puzzler. I'm always a fan of games pushing the "discrete real-time" model, i.e. letting you make very deliberate moves, but without having all the time in the world to think them through.

Early-access shoutout to close:

#GOTY 11/11
HS Battlegrounds was fun, but @StorybookBrawl takes the formula to the next level by adding positional play and passive treasures to build around. This creates a massive supply of unique situations to navigate and combos to explore.