The big surprise Xbox Game Pass release of this week was Balatro, announced as part of the Xbox Indie Showcase all the way back on Monday, and it's since joined PC Game Pass complete with Xbox Play Anywhere support as well.
For some, it's difficult to understand the big deal - it's just a card game, right? Balatro won awards and received Game of the Year nominations for a reason though, and has been described as one of the most addictive games out there.
As a reminder, here's what we said in our Pure Xbox review of Balatro last year:
"In the end this fusion of regular old poker, the game's spaced-out vibe and a genuinely wild and wacky selection of special cards and cool ideas makes for a worryingly moreish mutant of a thing that we did not see coming, and one which has absolutely blindsided us."
So, we're assuming at least some Pure Xbox users will have been dipping into Balatro for the first time over the past few days, and we're really keen to hear what you think about it! Has it sunk its addictive hooks into you yet, or are you still trying to figure out why people love it so much?
Of course, let's not ignore those who played it before it came to Game Pass as well. We're keen to hear your thoughts about Balatro too - both in the poll below, as well as the comments section where you can elaborate a bit more.
What Do You Think Of Balatro So Far? (608 votes)
- It's an incredible game, utterly addictive!
- It's pretty fun, I've enjoyed it
- It's alright, not bad
- I don't like it much, but I get the appeal
- Not sure why everyone loves it to be honest!
- I haven't played it yet, but I will...
- I haven't played it yet, and I probably won't...
What do you think of Balatro on Xbox Game Pass? We want to hear from you!
Comments 47
Yeah the various jokers powers seems to give this game the ingredient it needs to make it a great game.
I know what jokers are particularly good and think I understand the calculations but still manage to be surprised at some of the scores lol
I have it since Day 1. Amazing game.
Its ok and I get why folk are in to it but don't see myself being obsessed. Will keep it on my Xbox for those need to kill time moments.
Downloaded it ready to give it a go.
@IronCrow86 like to see you score 5 of a kind or a flush house with a pack of cards...
I’m such a Balatro junkie that I bought the mobile version for my iPhone as well…so now I can get my Balatro dopamine hit wherever I am even on the go
I've been playing it for a couple of days and I've already sunk so many hours into it.
While it technically isn't my kind of game, I consider it to be one of those incredibly rare perfect games.
@IronCrow86 no and that's the point, they aren't the same thing.
Haven’t even touched the Xbox version. I get plenty of Balatro gameplay on my phone. But the Xbox version means I have it on every platform except PC!
@IronCrow86 Wow you really don’t know anything about the game do you. Enjoy your pack of cards!
The game is a a very pure 10/10. Best game in the roguelike genre, in my opinion. As someone that’s played it over a year now, I’d honestly say it’s one of my favorite games of all time.
I have tried multiple times to get into it. I just don't get it. Even when I have a good run I find it dull and boring. At no time did I ever find it addicting and was much more likely to want the run to end earlier so i could be done with it. It's not for me.
It's disappointing because video poker is always my go-to at the casino.
What’s the word you guys use “gnaff” or “naff”?
It’s that.
Why on Earth have they not already implemented touch controls for the cloud version? The one time I would actually be tempted to play an gamepass game on my phone, but I'm not gonna lug a controller around!
Bought it on phone/tablet instead 3 days ago. Must have already put 8 or 9 hours in. Total digital crack. Absolutely love it!
@IronCrow86 The game is a lot more than just playing cards on an Xbox. It's an entire rogue-like with loads of upgrades and optimizations that can be made every run. It only very loosely used poker as a basis. (The only real carry over from Poker is the deck and poker hands, it's entirely different outside of that.)
@IronCrow86 A rogue-like is a game that is played in runs, and every time you fail you have to restart from the beginning. They also usually feature upgrades you can get along the way. Think about it like playing the original Super Mario bros, but you can upgrade your jump height, health and such as you go, but if you die you restart from scratch. Really fun genre if you like numbers and building combos and the like.
I played it for about 1.5 hrs when it launched into Game Pass. I just can't see how it's so popular, but hey, different strokes for different folks.
I picked it up on ps5 last year, its a good game for the portal.
That said, i suck at it and have never been able to clear a deck to date. Got up to like round 6 or 7 with the red deck.
As someone who hates a challenge, its more of a "ok game" to me
The thing about Balatro is that you always want to do 'better'. When you've got it, you have this odd feeling that, if you changed up your jokers, or added some different deck modifiers, or...
And then you realise that you misplaced several hours, but hey, you've won with that deck. Now for the NEXT deck... and then you unlock challenges...
And then you buy the game since you realise it's coming off Game Pass and wonder where all the time went.
I loved it for a couple of days but once I completed a run I'm kinda bored of it tbh. Once you kinda get the formula for the jokers/planets etc it gets a bit easy
@ValentineMeikin hang on, do I have to do it with all the different decks?? I think I'm out but then it drags me back in 🤣
It's excellent, 2nd only to Slay the Spire for me. For the people who say 'go buy a pack of cards' it's evident you haven't understood the game at all.
@YeyoFairy no way I'm buying it for mobile. Too addictive to have at my fingertips to that extent!
It's a fantastic game. Perfect.
I played a bit of it earlier but I honestly don’t get why it’s so popular and won many awards. IMO it’s **** and isn’t even a proper video game. Currently playing Hogwarts Legacy, now that’s a proper video game with freedom of movement, exploration, action etc what can you do in Balatro? Click on a few things on the screen? 🤷🏻♂️
Absolutely love it. The different decks and jokers make the experience unique every time.
On one hand it fun and you always want to finish a run, but on the other hand almost everything is basically on the luck of the draw and you have very little chance to actually finish a run.
@Deljo You'll notice unlock conditions on everything that needs unlocking. Once you've done at least... I believe it's a full run with five decks, you'll unlock challenges. After that, do it at your own pace.
@IronCrow86 Rogue-LIKE is very simple. All it means is that you lose everything when you die and you have to start again from scratch each game. Usually each run is randomised through procedural generation to make the difference instead. Think Tetris.
Rogue-LITE is similar, but rather than starting from scratch every single run it means there is a mechanic to slowly increase your starting equipment, or odds, each time you play. Usually this is in the form of a currency that you get for playing where you can unlock rewards to improve your starting loadout each game, or you unlock shortcuts or other things that stay unlocked for future runs. Think Hades.
Re: Balatro v Cards. You were right when you said you know nothing about the game. They may have the same basis in Poker but they aren’t the same thing. What is special about Balatro is how it constantly cleverly twists that card game you know with interesting mechanics added, always keeping you on your toes.
The “just one more run” feeling on Balatro is one of the strongest I’ve ever had similar to Tetris, Vampire Survivors or Dead Cells - so addictive.
Definitely hard to describe and a video won’t show you much, you have to experience it yourself. Highly recommend giving it a go… unless you value your time.
I had to delete this game as i would probably have ended up losing my job, family and home to the 'just one more run" urge.
I played it for a couple of hours and felt the pull.
But I've been back to Avowed, Indy and Fabledom since and haven't had a desire to switch it back on.
It's a really well designed game, but I can't help feeling it would have been better understood if it didn't use standard cards, poker hands and gambling terminology, it didn't need any of that to be brilliant.
@Titntin it's the subversion of the rules of poker and the standard deck of cards that makes the game later on.
Modifying your deck of cards and jokers to blow apart what is possible with a straight poker deck is the fun of the game. Having to lay down your own sets of rules in the first place would not be as affective because there is no expectation in how those rules play out.
@MaccaMUFC Incredibly narrow view of what video game is quite frankly.
Balatro is amazing but it is ok if it isn't your jam.
It's a fantastic game, some jokers seem very weak but I'm far from an expert 😅 just wish it had cross progression on Android
@IronCrow86 wtf are you doing here then? Instead of firza you can drive your car, instead of cod you can go and shoot in a firing range. What's the point of video games right? Ffs
@Medic_alert Thanks mate, I clearly see what you mean, unless there is a reference point, you have nothing to subvert 😁 I'm sure I'll build on my initial experience soon and become hooked. It took me a few goes with Vampire Saviours too, but it got its hooks in my in the end...
I played this a few times in my iPhone and iPad. It was entertaining I guess if I have no access to anything better, but I didn’t get all the fuss about it. If I’m sitting on my Xbox, I’d rather play any other game over it. For me it’s just a mobile time killer, nothing more or less.
@FarmDog08 Similar, didn't do anything for me... I don't know maybe it is because I don't play poker?
@GoldenPants Yeah, I just didn't find it very engaging at all. More of a chore to keep playing.
I'm warning you people. This game is extremely dangerous. It is so well made and so addictive. I started playing it yesterday and I already played it for 7 hours. If you value your time stay away.
Yeah great game. It's a nice break from shooting zombies 😁
I tried it for a little bit but I'm not a fan.
Played for about an hour last night, seems... ok? My wife has been super into it for quite awhile on her phone so I figured I'd give it a go, it's great when we have a common game. I'm not a very big video game cards guy. I'll definitely keep playing to see if it hooks me more.
It's really good. The gameplay and strategy is a lot of fun. I managed to complete a run by the 2nd-3rd day. I have high hopes for what this game can become in future sequels; if they decide to make sequels.
I'm having trouble understanding the comments saying its not a game. Sure it may not be for everyone but it's not just video poker.
@Medic_alert There is no real gameplay to Balatro though for it to constitute as a proper video game. It’s something you could do with a pack of cards irl.
I admit the genre isn’t for me at all but just don’t understand why it’s so popular and received awards when it there are many other card games out there like it. I’ll just chalk this up as one of those weird things I’ll never understand, same as the very small minority who don’t get why GTA V is still popular and selling gang busters to this day.
@MaccaMUFC that's the thing though you absolutely cannot do it with a pack of cards, nor multiple packs.
Even a bespoke card game to try and match it would be incredibly complex and almost unplayable.
This is something that can really only be done in video game form.
I wanted to like it, but I haven’t got a clue what is going on or what I’m supposed to do. I certainly haven’t felt anything like addiction, or even a desire to play it again.
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