| Balatro | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | Gameplay & Story | Pre-Order & DLC | Review |
Balatro is a poker-themed roguelike deck builder where the bigger the blind is, the crazier the deck.Read on to learn how it plays, what it’s about, and everything else we know so far.
Balatro Gameplay
Balatro’s gameplay revolves around a deck-building gauntlet where players must surpass increasingly challenging score thresholds using a deck of standard playing cards. As the run progresses, players refine and enhance their deck to maximize score generation.
The score thresholds, referred to as Blinds, are central to the game's progression. Every three Blinds culminate in a Boss Blind, introducing additional mechanics and significantly higher score requirements. These sets of three Blinds are grouped into stages called Antes, and each subsequent Ante raises the score thresholds for all Blinds within it, scaling based on the number of completed stages.
To earn scores, players draw a 10-card hand and select up to five cards to create a viable poker hand, such as a Flush, Two Pair, or Straight. The score generated depends on the hand's base value and a multiplier unique to that hand type. For instance, a Pair has a base score of 10 and a multiplier of 2. A pair of Kings, each valued at 10, raises the total score for the hand to 60 instead of 20.
Between Blinds, players can visit a shop to modify their deck. Here, they can purchase card packs to expand their options or acquire specialized cards. Tarot cards offer unique effects, such as duplicating cards or adding modifiers, while Planet cards enhance the base score of specific poker hands. Jokers provide substantial score modifiers but are limited to six per deck at a time.
At the start of each run, players choose from a variety of starter decks, each featuring a unique gimmick. Examples include decks without black cards or those with altered Joker slots, creating diverse strategies from the outset.
Successful runs unlock new cards, introduce higher difficulty levels with additional gameplay modifiers, and encourage players to take on the challenge anew.
Balatro Story Plot
Balatro omits narrative, characters, or a defined setting, focusing entirely on gameplay mechanics. Its replayability lies in an extensive collection of unlockable content, including various card types, jokers, starter decks, and progressively challenging difficulty levels.
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