Balatro Review: A Clever, Addictive Twist on Deckbuilding Roguelikes
A poker-themed roguelike that’s more about strategy than luck, Balatro is a smart, stylish, and seriously addictive deckbuilder
Available on: PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, Playstation, Xbox, Xbox Game Pass
Genre: Deckbuilder, Roguelike, Card Battler
Amazon* Physical Copies: Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X
Developer: Localthunk
Publisher: Playstack
How Cozy? ⭐⭐⭐⭐ You do build a bit of tension as the game goes on because you want to win!
Game Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5
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If you're into deckbuilder roguelikes like Slay the Spire or Wildfrost you’ll definitely want to check out Balatro. I wasn’t sure I’d get on with it at first, because I’m not keen on a gambling mechanic in a game and I knew this was using the rules of poker. But Balatro isn’t really about poker. It just borrows the framework and turns it into something far more strategic and creative.
I’ve only recently started dipping into roguelike card games, and Balatro quickly found its way onto my list of favourites. It’s a game that, on the surface, looks like it’s all about getting the best poker hand, but in reality, it’s about building the right hand for your current power-ups, jokers, and upgrades. It's poker in aesthetics only; the real game lies in making smart choices based on synergies and adapting your strategy as your build evolves.
Story
There’s not a traditional story here, which of course is pretty typical for the genre. The narrative is all in how each run plays out, the unexpected combos, the nail-biting bosses, the surprise upgrades. You’re not following a plotline, but you are shaping a unique run every time, which ends up being more engaging than you might expect. It’s got that “just one more go” feeling that good roguelikes need to excel at.
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Gameplay
This is where Balatro really stands out. You’re technically playing poker hands, but the goal isn’t to win at poker, it’s to maximise your score based on your build. For example, you might have three jokers that give bonus multipliers for clubs, so suddenly you're prioritising those over traditional poker logic. In some cases, a simple pair can earn you more points than a flush if you’ve upgraded it enough. That shift in thinking is what makes it so satisfying.
It’s genuinely enjoyable to start each run not knowing which direction you’ll go, whether it’s levelling up your hands with planet cards, a focus on tarot cards to boost individual cards, or maximising your jokers abilities. The tarot and celestial cards add another layer of variety, and unlike a lot of roguelikes that claim endless combinations but you end up in the same playstyle every time, Balatro actually encourages experimentation. And it rewards it.
Graphics and Visuals
The visual style is bright, retro-inspired, and full of charm. It’s not flashy, but it doesn’t need to be. Everything from the jokers to the background art feels designed with personality and clarity in mind. The colours pop, animations are slick, and the interface is clean and easy to read, crucial when you’re juggling stats and effects mid run. It’s got that modern pixel-art look that feels familiar but still polished.
Music
The soundtrack is low-key but really effective. It leans into a synthy, lo-fi, hip-hop-inspired vibe that changes depending on where you are in the game, shop, match, or menu. It’s subtle enough not to distract, but atmospheric enough to give the game a chilled-out rhythm that pairs nicely with its more intense strategic moments. It doesn’t try too hard, and that works in its favour.
Longevity
There’s a lot of replay value here. Honestly I can’t put it down. It doesn’t just throw hundreds of cards at you and hope for the best, it actually supports a range of playstyles, and the randomised nature of jokers, upgrades, and modifiers means you’re unlikely to fall into the same routine run after run. It’s flexible, fresh, and doesn’t take hours to get going, which makes it ideal for short bursts or longer sessions. If you like games that slowly reveal depth the more you play, this one’s for you.
Conclusion
Balatro is a great example of how to use a familiar theme, in this case, poker, and flip it into something entirely its own. It's not a gambling game, it's a smart, creative roguelike deckbuilder that gives you plenty of freedom to experiment and rewards strategic thinking. With its chill vibe, clever mechanics, and satisfying progression, it’s an easy recommendation for anyone looking for their next Switch 2 indie favourite or it’s even on Xbox Game Pass now too. I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy it, but now I can’t put it down.
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