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Balatro is an indie game developed by LocalThunk and published by Playstack on February 20, 2024. It’s a roguelike deck-building game which was released on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox. Initially, the game’s unappealing graphics and our disinterest in roguelike and card games led us to overlook it, even as positive ratings and reviews began to emerge.
Our attention was finally caught when the game became available on mobile on September 26, 2024. In a matter of weeks, it became the number one top-grossing card game on the Play Store. The game’s small size (under 100 MB) at a price point of around $8, with no option to try the game before purchasing, initially gave us second thoughts about whether this would be a good purchase for a review.
We’re glad we took the chance, though, because the game proved to be a surprising and enjoyable experience. Now, before we begin, we must emphasize that we are by no means well-versed in card games.
This review reflects solely our experience, and poker game terms like a full house or a royal flush were unfamiliar to us. Truth be told, when we started playing the game, we initially focused only on creating pairs of cards or straight 5-card combinations and learned from there. With that being said, let’s go on with the review.
Graphics/visuals
Balatro uses a low resolution pixel art graphic style that’s appealing to retro gamers, at normal graphics settings with scanlines it really feels and looks like a game coming out of the old NES and SNES era with it’s bold colors and limited vibrant color pallete.
However, the background of the game has a more psychedelic feel with it’s swirly patterns and distorted textures that gives the game a more vibrant feel. Setting the game vibration on somewhat makes it more engaging with the occasional shaking screen as you lay out your cards on the table and it does this subtle bounce as your cards are being tallied.
Sound
The background music in Balatro is a captivating blend of lo-fi electronic sounds with an underlying jazzy essence. One thing remains certain: the BGM is mesmerizing yet remarkably subtle. When paired with the game’s distinctive visuals, the experience becomes hypnotic.
As the game intensifies and you’re down to your last hand, the music subtly escalates in tension. It’s a masterful approach where the soundtrack builds atmosphere without overwhelming the player. The music delicately heightens the emotional stakes, creating an almost imperceptible sense of urgency.
The game’s true magic lies in the synergy between its music, card gameplay, and unique visuals. These elements combine to create an addictive experience that can only be fully appreciated by playing the game firsthand. The nuanced audio design serves as a perfect complement to the strategic card-based gameplay, drawing players deeper into the experience with each hand played.
Gameplay
Balatro transforms traditional poker into a mesmerizing roguelike deck-building game that challenges everything you know about card games. Instead of competing against other players, you battle against increasingly difficult scoring thresholds.
Each run begins in the Ante system, starting at Ante 1 with a modest scoring goal. As you clear each Ante, the required score increases, making the game progressively more challenging. You’ll face different blinds – small, big, and boss – each presenting unique scoring challenges.
Your starting deck is basic, but your goal is to create powerful poker hands. Familiar poker hands like straights, flushes, and full houses are your primary tools. The game’s twist comes with “Jokers” – special cards that dramatically modify scoring. These Jokers can multiply points, add unique abilities, or transform how hands are evaluated.
Between blinds, you’ll visit a shop to acquire Jokers, tarot cards, and other special cards that enhance your deck. Each purchase is a strategic decision that can completely change your run’s potential. As you progress, the game becomes more unforgiving, with scoring thresholds rising exponentially.
Runs end when you either fail to meet an Ante’s scoring requirement or successfully complete all Antes by defeating the final boss. The game rewards creativity, strategic thinking, and the ability to reimagine what a poker hand can be.
Replayability
While making this review, we had to go back frequently to play the game and take screenshots for each section. The process was far from straightforward, primarily because Balatro proved to be incredibly addictive from the start.
This addictiveness makes perfect sense when you consider the Roguelike genre’s core design philosophy. These games are built for replayability, ensuring that every run offers a unique and compelling experience. I’m sure you’ve heard other reviews praising the game’s ability to keep players engaged, and some might even suspect it’s a calculated marketing strategy to hook players and keep them invested.
However, we can assure you that Balatro’s addictiveness is genuine. In fact, the real question isn’t whether the game will grab your attention—it’s how on earth you’re supposed to put it down. Each playthrough presents new challenges, strategies, and moments of unexpected triumph that make walking away seemingly impossible.
Verdict
Is this game is worth playing on mobile? The answer is a resounding YES. Is the mobile version better than other platforms? Absolutely, since you can bring the game anywhere with you without any hassle. Is it worth the $8 price point? The answer is still yes, since this game gives you the best bang for your buck on any platform. This game is a must-have for any mobile gamer.
