Balatro (Cross-platform, 2024)

Release date: Tuesday 20th February 2024

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

Published by: Playstack Limited

Developed by: LocalThunk

Genres: Strategy, Roguelite, TCG

Story Drive📖 1/20
Accessibility🚪 17/20
Depth🤿 11/20
Challenge💀 14/20
Duration⌛ 15/20
Freedom🌎 5/20
Review Scores
3xEED
Fouttaf Score
Dimension: 3
Its foundation is very, very simple. It showcases how an original, well executed idea can often be translated to a game that is equally simple and addictive.
The Flair: E
The game is presented to us in an extremely homely and informal way, but also very pleasantly. Both its pampering visuals and its hypnotic soundtrack contribute to that feeling of never getting enough of it.
The Feel: E
Balatro's roguelite formula is incredibly close to pure perfection, and the way it tangles the player up during each run is astounding. It has all those strategy and gamble elements that make for a great casual, addictive experience. In our opinion, perhaps luck was very decisive a few too many times when trying to achieve a truly good build and beat those higher antes.
The Fuel: D
There's a very generous amount of content to keep shuffling decks time and time again, and the fact that some of the content is unlocked gradually adds to an already appetizing challenge. However, there are some unbalanced builds that require some very specific joker cards to work out, and then also the proper enhancements and stuff. Also, challenge and endless modes are great, but we still missed a bit more of "endgame" material.
Outstanding
92
Classic Score
Conclusions
Balatro is an outstanding piece of trading card roguelike game art that won't be forgotten soon. It really is that type of game that makes you forget about the clock and gets you in trouble neglecting your real life responsibilities. Very few other titles manage to deliver such a powerful and addictive formula with such a simple premise.
Balatro
Balatro (Cross-platform, 2024)
Badge Cabinet
Release date: Tuesday 20th February 2024
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Published by: Playstack Limited
Developed by: LocalThunk
Genres: Strategy, Roguelite, TCG
Trait Chart
Story Drive 📖 1/20
Accessibility 🚪 17/20
Depth 🤿 11/20
Challenge 💀 14/20
Duration ⌛ 15/20
Freedom 🌎 5/20
Review Scores
3xEED
Fouttaf Score
Dimension: 3
Its foundation is very, very simple. It showcases how an original, well executed idea can often be translated to a game that is equally simple and addictive.
The Flair: E
The game is presented to us in an extremely homely and informal way, but also very pleasantly. Both its pampering visuals and its hypnotic soundtrack contribute to that feeling of never getting enough of it.
The Feel: E
Balatro's roguelite formula is incredibly close to pure perfection, and the way it tangles the player up during each run is astounding. It has all those strategy and gamble elements that make for a great casual, addictive experience. In our opinion, perhaps luck was very decisive a few too many times when trying to achieve a truly good build and beat those higher antes.
The Fuel: D
There's a very generous amount of content to keep shuffling decks time and time again, and the fact that some of the content is unlocked gradually adds to an already appetizing challenge. However, there are some unbalanced builds that require some very specific joker cards to work out, and then also the proper enhancements and stuff. Also, challenge and endless modes are great, but we still missed a bit more of "endgame" material.
Conclusions

Balatro is an outstanding piece of trading card roguelike game art that won't be forgotten soon. It really is that type of game that makes you forget about the clock and gets you in trouble neglecting your real life responsibilities. Very few other titles manage to deliver such a powerful and addictive formula with such a simple premise.

Outstanding
92
Classic Score