Computer Balatro Review

In a world teeming with digital entertainment, every now and then, a game emerges that transcends casual engagement, gripping hold of our lives in ways we never anticipated. Balatro, a poker-inspired roguelike game, is one such creation that has swiftly taken the gaming world by storm.




At first glance, Balatro may seem simple. However, once you delve into it, you'll find a fun, complex gameplay loop that's hard to put down. It leverages the allure of playing cards to maintain player engagement, leaving them utterly engrossed.


Rather than focusing on combat or storytelling elements like many other games in the genre, Balatro is all about playing cards and scoring poker hands. Players are tasked with hitting increasing scores set by blinds and bosses across eight "antes" or rounds.



In Balatro, even the simple act of placing down a pair of kings can conjure up a delightful 82 x 146 multiplier. The game encourages experimentation and manipulation of the deck to score preferred hands more frequently. It's not just about understanding the basics of poker, but about strategically spending money between rounds and hoping the right cards come your way.


A significant portion of the game's thrill comes from opening the booster packs offered after each round. These packs contain a variety of cards with special abilities that can aid (or hinder) your progress. The faster you hit a target score, the more money you'll earn to improve your deck.

"Balatro offers a delicate balance of strategy and luck, resulting in an incredibly fun gameplay loop."

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Despite their sinister appearances, jokers are the player's greatest ally in Balatro. These cards offer huge multipliers and influential abilities that can often dictate the course of your game. However, with space for only five jokers at a time, players need to choose wisely to maximize their score potential.


Reaching the end of a Balatro run is not the end of the fun. Players can carry their victorious deck into an endless mode to see just how high their score can go. Additionally, achieving a victory with a given starter deck unlocks a new one, each offering its own unique advantages and challenges.



For those who think they've mastered all of Balatro's tricks, escalating difficulty modes offer a real challenge. The game keeps players coming back for more, making it a standout in the roguelike genre.


Balatro also shines in its art direction. The game's hypnotic swirling background art, musical score, and confident card designs add to its charm. Its grinning jokers and old-school CRT filter give an eerie, off-kilter edge to the game's otherwise vibrant charm.



While luck is a significant factor in Balatro, the game never feels unfair. Even when failure seems to come down to pure chance, players are left with the urge to jump back in and focus on their next run.


Balatro is a game that successfully assembles the infinitely fun gameplay loop that every great roguelike sets out to create. It's a deck-builder of endlessly satisfying proportions that threatens to derail whole weekend plans. In short, Balatro is not a joker, but quite the ace in the world of roguelike games.