Balatro

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 55,122 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
  • Cloud
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 55,122 reviews
gameplay1,172 positive mentions
story50 negative mentions
  • gameplay2,589 mentions

    The gameplay of Balatro is widely praised for its addictive and engaging mechanics, combining poker elements with roguelike features to create a unique experience that is easy to learn yet difficult to master. Players appreciate the depth and variety offered by the game's numerous jokers and deck-building options, which keep each run fresh and exciting. While some critiques mention issues with RNG and repetitive gameplay at higher difficulties, the overall consensus highlights the game's satisfying core loop and the enjoyment derived from experimenting with different strategies and combinations.

    • “The gameplay is easy to learn, yet hard to master.”
    • “Hundreds of hours of replayability, lots of synergies and mechanics to discover, and a solid core gameplay loop.”
    • “Incredible game, the feeling of discovering the mechanics as you progress and unlocking the secret cards makes every new run exciting and unexpected!”
    • “The gameplay loop feels dry and not interesting enough to get through the early game.”
    • “The gameplay is so simple yet becomes very complex with the different joker combinations and since there are so many fricking cards you can opt for varying strategies that each feel satisfying in their own way.”
    • “The gameplay itself is really quite simple and bland.”
  • music1,310 mentions

    The music in "Balatro" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its hypnotic and relaxing qualities, often describing it as a perfect fit for the game's atmosphere. However, a common critique is the lack of variety, as the game features primarily one looping track, which can become repetitive over extended play sessions. While some players find the soundtrack engaging and memorable, others suggest that additional tracks would enhance the overall experience.

    • “The music, though limited to a single track, is highly engaging and adds to the game’s hypnotic appeal.”
    • “The soundtrack is a perfect fit for the gameplay.”
    • “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 one criticism would be the soundtrack -- there is only one short loop that plays.”
    • “I bought the game and immediately lost an entire day to it, I do however wish there was a bit more variety in the soundtrack as after 3 or 4 hours I found myself muting it and playing my own music.”
  • graphics1,048 mentions

    The graphics of Balatro are widely praised for their charming pixel art style and retro aesthetic, reminiscent of classic gaming eras. Players appreciate the vibrant visuals, smooth animations, and the unique design of cards, including holographic and polychrome effects, which enhance the overall gameplay experience. While some find the CRT filter and motion effects potentially off-putting, the majority agree that the game's visuals effectively complement its addictive mechanics and engaging sound design, creating a captivating atmosphere.

    • “The aesthetic, the sound effects, everything pops, making for a great gameplay experience.”
    • “The graphics and sound design just take you back to peak Super Nintendo gaming, and that's a good thing.”
    • “Graphics wise, this game is clean and slick; its presentation is simple, distinct, and the beauty of it comes from the minute details added within, such as everything having minor sway to it, the negative, polychrome, holographic, and foil modifiers all making the graphics change, alongside the mesmerizing background in play at all times just blends together and makes for an absolute treat in the visuals department.”
    • “This game has horrendous motion-sickness-inducing visuals because everything is constantly smearing and shifting around on top of the default CRT filter.”
    • “The graphics are poor. If you like AAA graphics and action - move on to the next game.”
    • “This reminded me of playing on a PS1; the graphics look like it was on the Commodore 64. I'm sorry, this is not playing on my set. 15 min in, refund, sucks...”
  • replayability965 mentions

    The game "Balatro" is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, with many players noting that it offers hundreds of hours of engaging gameplay through diverse mechanics, numerous deck combinations, and unlockable challenges. Reviewers highlight the addictive nature of the game, emphasizing its ability to keep players returning for "just one more run" due to its dynamic strategies and the thrill of discovering new synergies. While a few critiques mention potential limitations in replay value after extensive play, the overall consensus is that Balatro provides an almost infinite replay experience, making it a standout title in the roguelike genre.

    • “It's so simple yet has infinite replayability.”
    • “Endlessly replayable.”
    • “This game has tons of replayability and encourages creative on-the-fly approaches to deck building.”
    • “The replayability disappears once those effects wear off, and they will wear off because they're repeated everywhere.”
    • “I would say replayability is the weakest part of balatro.”
    • “After 30 hours I am confident that very little thought went into the balance or design of the game, and the majority of the dev's interest is in making the game flashy to the detriment of its longevity or replayability.”
  • humor327 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its quirky and lighthearted approach, with players enjoying the whimsical antics of the jokers and the absurdity of the gameplay. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke laughter through its silly mechanics and entertaining visuals, making it an addictive experience that keeps players engaged while they chase "funny numbers." Overall, the humor adds a unique charm that enhances the enjoyment of this poker-inspired roguelike.

    • “This is a hilariously addicting game.”
    • “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.”
  • story239 mentions

    The game "Balatro" is noted for its complete lack of a traditional story or narrative, focusing instead on gameplay mechanics and replayability. Players appreciate the absence of filler content, finding the game engaging despite its simplicity, but many express a desire for some form of story or character development to enhance the experience. Overall, while the game excels in mechanics, it leaves a significant gap in storytelling that some players feel could elevate it further.

    • “Instead of following a linear storyline, the game encourages players to forge their own path and create their own stories.”
    • “While not as great of a story as Inscryption, Balatro is hopelessly addictive.”
    • “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.”
    • “Balatro has no real story or background.”
    • “There is no story or characters, you are just playing the same game with additional challenges and minor tweaks.”
    • “The repetitive gameplay loop has become monotonous, and there's no story to break it up.”
  • grinding113 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with many players feeling that it detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some appreciate the initial fun and excitement of unlocking new content, the grind quickly becomes a chore, often requiring players to repeat the same tasks and runs multiple times without a sense of accomplishment. Despite the game's potential for engaging gameplay, the excessive reliance on grinding and RNG elements leaves many feeling frustrated and fatigued.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Unlockables are fun and not too grindy.”
    • “The game is fun for a little, but sooner 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.”
    • “Too grindy and you are basically doing the same thing over and over so it gets old fast; there is not much sense of accomplishment after you win it a couple of times.”
  • optimization73 mentions

    The game is praised for its excellent optimization, allowing it to run smoothly on older hardware with low graphic requirements and minimal storage needs. While most players experience flawless performance and long battery life, some report occasional lag spikes and performance issues on the Steam Deck. Overall, the game effectively combines strategy and optimization, providing a rewarding experience despite some minor technical hiccups.

    • “I am not the biggest roguelike or deckbuilder guy, but this game is something else; every bit of it is optimized to squeeze out as much dopamine as possible.”
    • “It allows for a level of expression and optimization that is almost infinite.”
    • “Well optimized and very intuitive to play.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere69 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is described as a unique blend of relaxing yet intoxicating elements, enhanced by charming visuals and an engaging soundtrack that draws players in. While some reviews highlight a lack of depth and narrative, many appreciate the soothing vibe and addictive gameplay loop that keeps them engaged for hours. Overall, the game successfully creates a distinctive atmosphere that appeals to both casual and dedicated players, despite some criticisms regarding its thematic richness.

    • “In addition to the great gameplay, the music, the visuals, and the overall design create a unique atmosphere - relaxing, but also having strong hints of wrongness, and playing Balatro feels intoxicating in a way.”
    • “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.”
  • stability52 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while many players report it runs smoothly on various platforms, including Steam Deck and older laptops, some users experience visual glitches and bugs. A few reviews highlight significant issues, suggesting that the game may feel unfinished for some. However, the majority of feedback leans towards a positive experience with minimal bugs.

    • “This game is simple, clean (UI), easy to learn, bug-free from my experience, and already has a very strong positive rating.”
    • “Bug-free, polished experience.”
    • “I also haven't experienced any bugs—the game runs great both on my PC and my Mac.”
    • “You know you have a good run when the Steam Deck freezes.”
    • “It's so buggy I legit think they posted a school project finished last minute and are riding the wave.”
    • “Did troubleshooting, verified files, reinstalled, same problem.”
  • monetization50 mentions

    The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions, ads, and additional monetization strategies, providing a refreshing experience focused on gameplay rather than profit. Players appreciate the ability to earn special cards and effects through in-game success, ensuring varied playthroughs without the pressure of spending real money. Overall, it is seen as a well-designed, fun, and fair game that stands out in a market often dominated by cash-grab tactics.

    • “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.”
    • “Localthunk deserves a Nobel Peace Prize for not including microtransactions in what might be the most addictive game ever made.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional42 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is described as a rollercoaster of highs and lows, with players experiencing intense feelings ranging from joy and excitement to frustration and sorrow. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke strong emotional responses, such as crying over losses or feeling nostalgic, while also noting that the emotional investment required is relatively low, making it accessible for quick play sessions. Overall, the game creates a unique emotional connection that resonates deeply with players, often leading to a love-hate 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.”
    • “It was the heart-wrenching sorrow reflected in the eyes of my child and the anguished tears of my wife that truly shattered my resolve.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

89% average critic score

Buy Balatro

Play time

20hMedian play time
37hAverage play time
7-47hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 359 analyzed playthroughs

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