Balatro

98%
Game Brain Score Based on 29,011 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • graphics
Balatro Game Cover
Balatro is a masterfully crafted Roguelike card game, that's easy to learn thanks to its poker mechanics but hard to master.
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Balatro is a poker-inspired roguelike deck builder where you combine poker hands and unique Joker cards to create powerful synergies. With endless possibilities and a variety of tools at your disposal, every run is different as you aim to earn chips, beat devious blinds, and reach the final boss. The game features an in-depth campaign mode with 8 difficulties, as well as challenge, daily, and seeded runs.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

98%
Audience ScoreBased on 29,011 reviews
gameplay615 positive mentions
story29 negative mentions
  • gameplay1,357 mentions

    The gameplay of Balatro is widely praised for its addictive and engaging mechanics, seamlessly blending traditional poker with roguelike elements. Players appreciate the easy-to-learn yet deep strategic gameplay, which allows for a variety of builds and strategies through the use of unique jokers and modifiers. The game’s core loop is described as satisfying and rewarding, encouraging repeated play sessions while maintaining a balance of luck and skill, making it accessible to both poker enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

    • “There's a mild learning curve here and then an incredible world of fun and addictive gameplay after you get the hang of it.”
    • “The gameplay loop is satisfying and keeps you coming back for run after run.”
    • “Balatro seamlessly blends the strategic depth of deck-building mechanics with the thrill of heavy hitting poker hands, resulting in a captivating gaming experience that keeps players hooked for hours on end.”
    • “The gameplay loop feels dry and not interesting enough to get through the early game.”
    • “The gameplay is so simple, but offers huge complexities with the jokers and the tarot cards.”
    • “The gameplay loop gets old pretty quickly for me.”
  • music696 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its hypnotic and engaging qualities, often described as catchy and addictive, with many players finding it memorable enough to linger in their minds long after playing. However, a common critique is the limited variety, as the game primarily features a single looping track, which some players find repetitive over extended sessions. Overall, the soundtrack complements the gameplay well, enhancing the immersive experience despite calls for additional tracks.

    • “The soundtrack is understated perfection - the backtrack seamlessly transitions to a fitting theme when browsing the shop, opening celestial packs, considering jokers, or fishing for the death arcana card.”
    • “The music is so varied I lose myself.”
    • “The music is fantastic, the presentation is great, and the gameplay is snappy and addictive.”
    • “The music is dreadful and it's just a poker game.”
    • “My biggest complaint is that there's only 1 track of music in the entire game, so put on your own playlist and turn the music in game off.”
    • “I played this so much in one sitting that I physically got ill from the music.”
  • graphics549 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming retro pixel art style, vibrant colors, and smooth animations, creating an immersive and nostalgic atmosphere. Many players appreciate the unique aesthetic that combines elements of classic poker machines with modern design, while the psychedelic visuals and engaging sound design enhance the overall experience. However, some users have noted that the simplistic graphics may not appeal to everyone, particularly those seeking high-end visuals.

    • “The graphics are beautifully retro, silky smooth, and this thing runs well on a lightweight machine.”
    • “The aesthetics paired with the chill soundtrack work well to complement the game's presentation.”
    • “Balatro's music, art style, and creative mechanics elevate it beyond its simple premise.”
    • “The graphics are really poor.”
    • “If you like AAA graphics and action - move on to the next game.”
    • “The game has one (I repeat: one) singular song that plays throughout, the visuals are just a wavy synth clown vomit that sometimes changes color and nothing else, and there is no story, no rhyme and no reason to the game in any capacity.”
  • replayability505 mentions

    The game "Balatro" is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, with many reviewers highlighting its depth, variety of decks, and the numerous strategies available through different joker cards and challenges. Players appreciate the addictive gameplay loop and the ability to experience unique runs each time, making it feel endlessly engaging. While some mention potential limitations in long-term replayability, the overall consensus is that the game offers a rich and rewarding experience that encourages repeated play.

    • “The art is great, the gameplay loop is addictive, there's good replayability with various challenge runs, and the game truly lets you push the boundaries as far as your skill and luck permits.”
    • “The replayability on this game is insane - every time, a new combination of cards reaches your hand allowing you to be creative with your strategy.”
    • “Endless replayability, effectively infinite run possibilities, and truly superb art direction and game design make Balatro perhaps one of the best games of all time.”
    • “The replayability disappears once those effects wear off, and they will wear off because they're repeated everywhere.”
    • “I don't see the hype, I'm bored with it in the sense that progression is slow, winnings do not scale or change and the repetitiveness eats away at replay value.”
    • “Limited replayability for the early game, standout early game jokers are auto picks regardless of what build you want to shift to.”
  • humor176 mentions

    The humor in this game is consistently described as quirky, lighthearted, and engaging, with players enjoying the comedic elements of the characters and gameplay mechanics. Many reviews highlight the amusing interactions with jokers and the joy of watching "funny numbers" increase, contributing to an addictive experience that blends strategy with humor. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to evoke laughter while providing a fun and accessible deck-building experience.

    • “The characters are quirky, the dialogue is hilarious, and the overall vibe is just pure joy.”
    • “It's brimming with personality and humor, it's outrageously addictive, and it's as deep as you could possibly want while still being extremely accessible.”
    • “With its tight gameplay loop, clever mechanics, and bubbly sense of humor, Balatro takes poker to a surprisingly natural new level as one of the most engrossing roguelikes I’ve ever played.”
  • story131 mentions

    The game is widely criticized for its complete lack of a story or character development, with many reviewers expressing disappointment that the engaging gameplay is not complemented by any narrative elements. While the unique design and mechanics are appreciated, players feel that the absence of a storyline detracts from the overall experience, leaving it feeling repetitive and lacking depth. Despite this, some players enjoy the pure gameplay focus and find it addictive, suggesting that the game could benefit from a story mode or additional lore to enhance engagement.

    • “Despite having no such thing as a story or characters, there is so much personality shining through; it makes me happy to see how much love was put into the making of this.”
    • “Even though there aren't any characters or story, the jokers add some personality to things and do a lot to spice up the dryness.”
    • “Instead of following a linear storyline, the game encourages players to forge their own path and create their own stories.”
    • “There is no plot or events that connect runs.”
    • “Unfortunately, there is no plot or characters that react to your actions in previous runs.”
    • “Balatro has no real story or background.”
  • grinding63 mentions

    The reviews indicate a mixed sentiment towards grinding in the game, with some players finding the unlockables enjoyable and the grind manageable, while others describe it as tedious and repetitive, particularly in higher stakes. Many express frustration with the reliance on luck and the need to restart runs frequently, leading to a sense of wasted time. Overall, while some appreciate the challenge and rewards, a significant number feel that the grinding detracts from the initial fun and excitement of the gameplay.

    • “Unlockables are fun and not too grindy.”
    • “There's no poker anymore, there are no tactics, there is no fun, just pure luck and grinding.”
    • “The game is fun for a little, but soon becomes tedious, repetitive, and about luck and starting new runs immediately to have a chance of success.”
    • “It's fun in concept but fizzles out fast due to being very poorly balanced, too grindy (to unlock everything), and way too RNG heavy.”
  • optimization38 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its low system requirements and smooth performance, allowing it to run well even on older hardware. While most players report a satisfying experience with minimal bugs, some have noted performance issues on the Steam Deck and occasional lag spikes. The gameplay encourages strategic optimization, enhancing the overall addictive quality, though some players find the repetitive nature of optimizing decks can become tedious over time.

    • “80MB game size, no bugs, good performance, satisfying gameplay & effects.”
    • “Less than a GB of storage required, and it's super well optimized.”
    • “This game combines two things I love: optimization-based strategy and roguelikes.”
    • “You mostly spend your time trying to get your deck optimized to play the same 4 hands over and over, which is fine for a few hours but becomes tedious fast.”
    • “I primarily play games on my Steam Deck at the moment and Balatro currently suffers from some significant performance issues that need to be ironed out.”
    • “Despite the simplicity of the game, it actually suffers a bit from performance issues.”
  • atmosphere36 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is characterized by its enchanting pixel graphics, smooth music, and a unique blend of relaxation and engagement, creating a retro arcade feel that captivates players. While many reviews praise the immersive sound design and charming visuals, some note a lack of depth and narrative, likening it to a simple casino experience. Overall, the game successfully combines addictive gameplay with a soothing atmosphere, making it appealing for both casual and dedicated players.

    • “It's a relaxing and distinctive atmosphere provided by its graphics, sound design, and music that helps it stand out as one of the most unique games of the decade.”
    • “The gameplay is deeply engaging and diverse, the visuals are stunning, and the music perfectly complements the game's atmosphere.”
    • “Combined with the immersive soundtrack, it creates an atmosphere that draws you in and refuses to let go.”
    • “To give that a little more context, there's really no atmosphere to this game.”
    • “I also think that the 15-20 hours were very fun which I played prior to having the sameness and lack of atmosphere chip away at my excitement for the game.”
    • “This scratches the same itch with card modding and infinite synergies but with the atmosphere of a cheap casino instead.”
  • stability29 mentions

    The stability of the game varies significantly among users; while some report a smooth, bug-free experience, particularly on the Steam Deck and older laptops, others encounter persistent visual glitches and bugs that detract from gameplay. Overall, many players appreciate the game's performance and stability, especially on portable devices, but a notable minority express frustration with its technical issues.

    • “This game is simple, clean (UI), easy to learn, bug-free from my experience, and already has a very strong positive rating.”
    • “I also haven't experienced any bugs—the game runs great both on my PC and my Mac.”
    • “Bug-free, polished experience.”
    • “Did troubleshooting, verified files, reinstalled, same problem.”
    • “Game is so buggy.”
    • “I do not know if it's my sad old laptop's fault, but occasionally there are some visual glitches that keep flashing.”
  • monetization26 mentions

    The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions, ads, and additional monetization strategies, providing a refreshing experience in a market often dominated by cash grabs. Players appreciate the focus on gameplay and strategy without the pressure of in-game purchases, making it a fun and fair option for poker enthusiasts. Overall, the absence of monetization tactics enhances the game's appeal and enjoyment.

    • “It's nice to have an online poker-based game that refuses to bombard you with in-app purchases and instead focuses on creating a high-quality deliverable full of fun challenges and interesting mechanics.”
    • “Ironically, for a game about gambling, there are no microtransactions or ways to spend real money once you pay the price of admission, and I hope it stays that way.”
    • “The best thing is no microtransactions, no subscription, just a simple idea (make poker but better) extremely well and competently executed.”
    • “As of today there is no monetization, but a casino without cash is still a casino.”
    • “But why does my iPad have the game on the app store but it's completely different and just full of ads.”
    • “This plays much like a mobile game that intends to add microtransactions and ads at some point.”
  • emotional22 mentions

    Players express a wide range of emotional experiences while engaging with the game, from nostalgic joy and excitement to deep frustration and sorrow. The game's ability to evoke strong feelings, whether through thrilling victories or heartbreaking losses, creates a rollercoaster of emotions that resonates with many, making it a memorable and impactful experience. Despite its low barrier to entry, the emotional investment can lead to intense highs and lows, often likened to an emotionally charged relationship.

    • “Lost a jokerless run because I put a club in a spade flush and I cried.”
    • “A game has not made me cry since I was a child.”
    • “This game is an emotional rollercoaster, often so because you almost make it to the end but then get hard countered by the boss.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

89% average critic score

Buy Balatro

Play time

21hMedian play time
38hAverage play time
7-50hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 189 analyzed playthroughs

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