Balatro Review: A Must-Play Poker Roguelike That’s Anything But Foolish

If you’re a fan of clever roguelikes and card games that bend the rules, Balatro is a hidden gem you shouldn’t miss. This poker-inspired roguelike is a masterclass in strategy, challenging players to cheat their way to victory while navigating an ever-shifting deck of possibilities.

Developer: LocalThunk
Publisher: Playstack
Release Date: February 20th, 2024
Platform: Windows
Available On: Steam

In Balatro, each run is a high-stakes journey through a series of blinds—small, big, and boss—that act as score thresholds you need to hit using classic poker hands like flushes, straights, and pairs. But don’t let the familiar mechanics fool you; this game is anything but straightforward. As you progress, those blinds ramp up from modest targets of 300 or 450 points to eye-watering challenges in the tens of thousands. The ultimate goal? Survive to the eighth ante and claim victory.

One boss, in particular, The Flint, has a knack for making me rethink my strategy. This boss halves your chip score and multiplier, making it a formidable challenge, especially when its blind jumps from 600 to a massive 22,000. But the thrill of Balatro isn’t just about beating these bosses with clever card plays—it’s about bending, twisting, and outright breaking the rules in your favor. Cheating isn’t just encouraged; it’s practically mandatory, thanks to the game’s brilliantly designed joker cards, which add a whole new layer of strategy.

The jokers are the heart of Balatro’s deckbuilding. Even if you’ve never played poker before, the game’s beginner-friendly tutorial will have you pulling off tricky maneuvers in no time. The goal is simple: play the best hands to beat the blind. But as the stakes rise, it becomes clear that playing fair won’t cut it. Collecting the right jokers, which can drastically boost your score, becomes essential. With 150 jokers to discover, no two runs feel the same, keeping the gameplay fresh and unpredictable.

The most sought-after jokers are those that crank up your multiplier score, but others offer unique advantages like generating quick cash, increasing your hand size, or even bending the rules of poker itself. You’re limited to equipping only five jokers at a time, so deciding which ones to keep or discard adds another layer of depth to your strategy.

Beyond jokers, the end-of-round shop offers consumable tarot and celestial cards that can buff your deck in various ways. You can also invest in planet cards that level up different hand types, boosting both their chip output and multiplier. Ignoring these upgrades early on is a rookie mistake, but once you start using them, you’ll find they’re key to reaching those late-game blinds.

Balatro isn’t just a test of your strategic prowess; it’s also a sensory delight. The game’s dreamy electronic lounge music and hypnotic, inkblot-style backgrounds perfectly complement the satisfying clinks and dings as your multiplier score climbs. The atmosphere is so well-crafted that even losing feels like just another roll of the dice.

Of course, not every run is a winner. Some games feel doomed from the start, whether due to a lack of jokers in the shop or a streak of bad hands. But Balatro’s laid-back vibe keeps frustration at bay, making it easy to jump back in for another round. I’ve yet to beat the game after many hours, but each defeat only leaves me more determined to succeed.

If you’re worried Balatro might tap into the same addictive habits as gambling, rest assured that it’s a far more generous experience. There’s no betting or wagering involved, and each run starts with a clean slate, allowing you to build your luck from scratch. The game rewards you with better knowledge for your next attempt, making it a celebration of learning and mastery rather than a grind for victory.

Ultimately, Balatro is a game that delights in pushing the limits of what’s possible in a poker roguelike. It encourages you to cheat, bend the rules, and exploit every loophole, all while keeping the experience fun and engaging. If you’re looking for a game that challenges your mind and rewards your creativity, don’t sleep on Balatro. It’s a must-play for any fan of roguelikes or card games, offering endless hours of strategic enjoyment.