The indie hit has critics and fans alike excited – what’s its secret?
The 2024 Game Awards are just around the corner, and like every year, the list of nominees is causing quite a stir. But while many eyes are on the usual suspects such as blockbuster RPGs like Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth and Shadow of the Erdtree, an unexpected title is causing a stir: Balatro.
This innovative deck-building game with poker mechanics has secured no fewer than five nominations – including in the prestigious categories Game of the Year
and Best Indie Game
But what is it that makes this small indie title so special that it has thrilled both critics and players worldwide?
How does poker work as a roguelike?
You don’t know what to do with poker? No problem!
The game uses the basic rules of the card game, but also adds a lot of fresh ideas, transforming the whole thing into a clever roguelike that will immediately inspire you even without prior knowledge.
The focus is on the art of forming the best possible poker hands from a random set of cards. You start with a standard deck of 52 cards and have the task of forming hands such as pairs, full houses or flushes in order to collect enough points and defeat the so-called Blinds
; These are the game’s boss opponents, so to speak, who get tougher with each round and always demand new strategies from you.
But Balatro wouldn’t be Balatro if it stuck to the basics of poker.
That’s where the real tricks come into play: in addition to the standard cards, over 150 wild cards and special cards await you, completely turning the game upside down. A wild card could bend the rules to help you complete a hand that would otherwise be impossible.
Or you can use wildcards to change values and create powerful combos. These cards add a strategic depth to the game that forces you to plan your moves carefully – because one wrong purchase in the shop, which you visit after each round, and your entire deck could be thrown off balance.
But be careful: some boss blinds come with nasty surprises. For example, an opponent could make all face cards invisible or weaken certain card combinations – this forces you to constantly stay flexible and adapt your tactics.
Why Balatro is so good
But what makes Balatro so special that it has received five nominations at The Game Awards, has a Metacritic rating of 90, and even has 97 percent positive ratings on Steam?
The first thing that stands out is the perfect balance between accessibility and depth. Even if you’re not a poker pro, you can jump into the game immediately. The rules are simple, the mechanics intuitive – and yet the game offers a strategic depth that will thrill even hardcore gamers. Every decision counts, every move could be the difference between an epic victory and a bitter defeat.
At the same time, Balatro offers a gameplay loop that is almost perfectly thought out. The basic principle is simple: draw cards, form hands, collect points. But the roguelike elements make every round feel unique. You’ll be constantly tempted to try new strategies or adjust your deck to maximize your chances.
Add to that the sheer variety that Balatro offers. Countless special cards and wild cards open up endless possibilities that will keep you trying out new tactics for hours. The game gives you the freedom to experiment – and rewards you generously when your plans come together.
Last but not least, there is the mysterious synthwave soundtrack , which may take some getting used to at first, but with its psychedelic sounds and hypnotic rhythms, it perfectly matches the atmosphere of Balatro. We can look forward to hearing how it will sound at the Game Awards orchestra.
So, the bottom line is that Balatro is a prime example of how indie games with great ideas and limited resources can achieve great things. It accomplishes something that few games can: transforming a simple game principle into something brilliant.
