Simon Cardy
IGNBalatro Review
Published 3/8/2024
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
90
-2 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalCritic Atlas
Making subjectivity useful.
PC / PS5 / PS4 / Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / Nintendo Switch / iOS / Android - 2/20/2024
Balatro
A poker-inspired roguelike deckbuilder where players build powerful scoring engines through Jokers, deck manipulation, escalating blinds, and increasingly chaotic run-defining synergies.
- Developer
- LocalThunk
- Publisher
- Playstack
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Critic average
92
Average of 36 scored external reviews.
User average
84
Average of 7 saved user ratings.
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Run-based / proceduralDefining · Curated baseline
Highly replayableDefining · Curated baseline
Strategic / planning-heavyDefining · Curated baseline
Systems / mechanics-drivenDefining · Curated baseline
Buildcraft / customization-heavyDefining · Curated baseline
Unconventional / experimentalDefining · Curated baseline
Puzzle / logic-focusedStrongly · Curated baseline
Loot / progression-drivenStrongly · Curated baseline
Show 12 more descriptors
Atmosphere-driven / aesthetic identityStrongly · Curated baseline
Whimsical / playful / lightheartedModerately · Curated baseline
Cozy / low-pressureModerately · Curated baseline
Punishing / high-pressureModerately · Curated baseline
Side-content richModerately · Curated baseline
Short / focusedModerately · Curated baseline
Serious / dark / groundedNot present · Curated baseline
Reflex / execution-heavyNot present · Curated baseline
Story / character-drivenNot present · Curated baseline
Exploration-drivenNot present · Curated baseline
Combat / action-focusedNot present · Curated baseline
Multiplayer / socialNot present · Curated baseline
Bars show a weighted description signal from player answers and curated baseline data.
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Review coverage
Critic signal strength
Numeric critic scoring uses full scored reviews once available. Review-in-progress scores act as temporary early signal only until full review scores exist. Unscored reviews still count as coverage, but they are not included in the critic average.
High confidenceMostly aligned
Critic avg
92
36 scored reviews
Total coverage
38
2 unscored reviews
Score range
80–100
Lowest to highest scored review
Signal shape
Mostly aligned
Score range is 11–20 points
Critic landscape
The critic average is 92 across 36 scored reviews, with a 20-point spread. Critics mostly agree, but there is some useful variation in the individual reviews.
How to read this
The average is useful broad context, but the high and low reviews may explain what different critics valued or penalized.
Most scored reviews currently sit in the 90–100 band. 2 unscored reviews add coverage context without moving the critic average.
Score distribution
Shows how included scored reviews are clustered across the normalized 100-point scale.
36 included scored reviews
90–10031 reviews · 86%
80–895 reviews · 14%
70–790 reviews · 0%
Below 700 reviews · 0%
Showing 11-20 of 38 matching critic reviews. 38 total critic reviews. Page 2 of 4.
Alessandro Barbosa
GameSpotBalatro Review - One More Blind
Published 3/7/2024
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RoguelikeDeckbuilderPokerCard gameIndieScore chasingStrategy
Scoring alignment
—
Score
90
-2 vs critic avg
Recommended
Read originalTJ Denzer
ShacknewsBalatro review: Captivating & cruel cards
Published 3/5/2024
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RoguelikeDeckbuilderPokerCard gameIndieScore chasingStrategy
Scoring alignment
—
Score
90
-2 vs critic avg
Recommended
Read originalNick Gillett
Metro GameCentralBalatro review – it’s joker time
Published 3/4/2024
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
90
-2 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalFrank Montes
Generación XboxAnálisis de Balatro – El Poker nunca se había sentido tan genial
Published 3/4/2024
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
88
-4 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalLou Sytsma
COGconnectedBalatro Review – Deck Builder’s Poker Delight
Published 3/3/2024
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
90
-2 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalSebastian Hawden
PlayStation UniverseBalatro Review (PS5) - A Royal Flush Of A Roguelike - PlayStation Universe
Published 3/1/2024
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
100
+8 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalOllie Reynolds
Nintendo LifeBalatro Review (Switch eShop)
Published 3/1/2024
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RoguelikeDeckbuilderPokerCard gameIndieSwitchHandheld
Scoring alignment
—
Score
100
+8 vs critic avg
Recommended
Read originalChristian Donlan
EurogamerBalatro review - near-infinite poker possibilities
Published 2/29/2024
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EurogamerText review
Scoring alignment
—
Score
80
-12 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalMarcus Stewart
Game InformerBalatro Review - A Winning Hand
Published 2/28/2024
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RoguelikeDeckbuilderPokerCard gameIndieScore chasingStrategy
Scoring alignment
—
Score
95
+3 vs critic avg
Recommended
Read originalPlayer reviews
Player reviews
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