X
- Playstack
- Playstack
- Playstack
- Playstack
Balatro
Released On: Feb 20, 2024
8.6
Where to Buy
Where to Buy
All Platforms
View All Platforms
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 33 Critic Reviews
90
91% Positive
30 Reviews
30 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 33 Critic Reviews
90
91% Positive
30 Reviews
30 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Balatro is an astonishingly addictive take on Poker that's utterly impossible to put down. Occasional difficulty spikes aside, it's a piece of simplistic genius that we'll keep on our Steam Deck forever.
Balatro is an ingenious and entertaining roguelike and one of my favorite games of the year. Playing it has become a near-obsession; everything feels perfectly designed to encourage you to keep trying because that next run could be the run of your life. Even after hours of play, I still can’t overcome Balatro’s biggest challenge: putting it down.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 150 User Ratings
8.6
83% Positive
124 Ratings
124 Ratings
11% Mixed
16 Ratings
16 Ratings
7% Negative
10 Ratings
10 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 150 User Ratings
8.6
83% Positive
124 Ratings
124 Ratings
11% Mixed
16 Ratings
16 Ratings
7% Negative
10 Ratings
10 Ratings
A smart and engaging re-implementation of the classic poker game, including hundreds of different cards and special effects.
Balatro is a fantastic rogue-like deck-builder. Additionally, the random nature of each round keeps you on your toes. However, it is pretty unforgiving and the repetitive nature of the core concept may put some gamers off.
Balatro is a brilliant take on the rogue lite genre. Video poker fans will be grinning ear to ear playing this truly terrific card game that is hard to put down.
The wonderful and terrible thing about Balatro is that, unlike with other roguelikes, I never got frustrated getting bounced back to the start. I almost always felt like I’d had the slate wiped clean of the web of synergistic collectables governing my ill-fated moves and this time, I was sure to succeed. Especially as my efforts in the game unlocked new perks or decks I could use when jumping back in. The combination of simple drag-and-drop controls and a continuous flow of numbers-go-up dopamine hits is irresistible. You’ve been warned.
It's easy to get a kick out of seeing how high the scores can get, but the game is as much about the gambles you take and the planning along the way. There's a deceptive simplicity to Balatro due to its roots in poker, and it uses that to its advantage to reel you in while regularly finding new ways to surprise you.
The most addictive roguelike I've ever played. You will spend hundreds of hours on this game and it will never become repetitive. There are 15 different decks, 8 different difficulties, 20 special challenges, 28 different bosses, and hundreds of different game elements (including 150 jokers, 52 consumables, 24 tags, 32 vouchers, etc), so there are infinite different combos to try.
Report
PC
Fun for a short time, but nothing too awesome.
No real new mechanics from my perspective, just another roguelike with a little bit different theme.
Report
PC
This roguelike has permanent unlocks, but no permanent upgrades. As it is a card game, and fairly simple in its core, you can only marginally get better (count probabilities >> prioritize money >> utilize synergy of in-run upgrades and your fortes), while outcome and progression is mostly determined by luck or its absense. Basically, game is a time killer and just a tiny bit more engaging than an average "cookie clicker".
Report
PC
Summary Balatro is a poker-inspired roguelike deck builder all about creating powerful synergies and winning big. Combine valid poker hands with unique Joker cards in order to create varied synergies and builds. Earn enough chips to beat devious blinds, all while uncovering hidden bonus hands and decks as you progress. You're going to need ev...
Platforms:
- PC
- PlayStation 5
- PlayStation 4
- Nintendo Switch
- Xbox One
- Xbox Series X
Initial Release Date: Feb 20, 2024
Developer:
- LocalThunk
Publisher: Playstack
Genres:
