Balatro

The poker roguelike. Balatro is a hypnotically satisfying deckbuilder where you play illegal poker hands, discover game-changing jokers, and trigger adrenaline-pumping, outrageous combos.

Current Players: 7551
Developers: LocalThunk
Publishers: Playstack
Release Date: Feb 20, 2024
Price (USD): $14.99
Overall, players are highly enthusiastic about Balatro, celebrating its addictive gameplay, depth, and variety that keep them coming back for more. While its addictiveness is both a boon and a warning, the game is lauded for its creativity and the richness of strategies available. Some frustrations with RNG and game balance are noted, but these do not significantly detract from the experience. The game's engaging design, both visually and in gameplay mechanics, alongside responsive development and regular updates, have earned it widespread acclaim within the gaming community.

Positive Points

  • Highly addictive gameplay with a unique blend of roguelike elements and poker mechanics.
  • Incredible variety and depth in strategies and game mechanics, with over 150 jokers, diverse decks, and tarot/planet cards offering countless build combinations.
  • Significant replay value due to the vast array of strategies, jokers, and deck options.
  • Beautiful visual and audio design, providing an engaging and mesmerizing playing experience.
  • Easy to learn but hard to master, appealing to both newcomers and seasoned players of card games and roguelikes.
  • Regular updates and responsive developer, ensuring the game remains balanced and fresh.
  • Works flawlessly on various platforms, including the Steam Deck, making it accessible and enjoyable anywhere.
  • Provides a satisfying dopamine hit with big numbers, multipliers, and successful runs.
  • Negative Points

  • Can be extremely addictive, potentially taking up a lot of the player's time.
  • Certain elements of RNG can feel punishing or frustrating, particularly at higher difficulty levels.
  • The game does not always provide clear calculations or estimations for scoring, which can hinder strategic planning.
  • Some players found the balancing of jokers and cards to be uneven, with some options being clearly superior to others.
  • A few players experienced bugs or technical issues, though these seem to be relatively rare.
  • Mixed Points

  • The game's challenge and difficulty ramp up nicely, but this can also lead to moments of frustration due to bad luck with draws or shop items.
  • While the game is highly praised for its addictive qualities, some players warn against its potential to consume excessive amounts of time.
  • The freedom to try multiple strategies is generally seen as positive, but the variability in success can sometimes feel too dependent on RNG.
  • Common Themes

  • Addiction to the gameplay
  • High replayability and depth
  • Balancing and RNG concerns
  • Appeal across player experience levels
  • Satisfactory progression system
  • Engaging visual and audio presentation
  • Updated 6/25/2024, 5:16:56 PM UTC