Game of the Year: #5 – Balatro

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must confess that Balatro has left me utterly bewitched. This humble roguelike card game from a lone developer has managed to cast a spell over millions of us, and its enchantment is only growing stronger by the day.

Defying expectations, a solo developer’s roguelike card game, Balatro, has entered the discussion for Game of the Year in 2023. Notably, it was even nominated for the top prize at The Game Awards, demonstrating its resilience against larger-scale productions. For those who have experienced it, this achievement might seem unsurprising.

Fundamentally, Balatro revolves around the strategy of playing poker hands to accumulate points, aiming to reach or surpass a specified target. The initial phase of each round involves a regular 52-card pack, but soon, enchantment takes over.

In this game, several mechanisms are at your disposal, allowing you to enhance your deck, swap cards, and apply a variety of powerful modifiers that can significantly alter the course of the game. The intricate blend of these features makes Balatro captivating; it offers numerous chances to bend the rules in your favor, and witnessing your strategy unfold and result in massive points is one of the most rewarding gaming experiences from 2024.

The game isn’t primarily focused on constructing a deck; instead, it’s more about strategically manipulating one. You uncover potent combinations among your cards and Jokers you acquire throughout the game, then amplify what you require and either transform or eliminate what you don’t need. Not every attempt will result in victory, but you’ll continuously unlock new Jokers or gain insights into your strategy. And when you eventually emerge victorious, it’s incredibly satisfying – and you can continue into endless mode to explore how far your high-scoring deck can progress.

Essentially, Balatro strips down the roguelike genre to its bare essentials, making it easily accessible for everyone. Instead of using complex mechanics, it employs standard playing cards and multiple routes to success. This straightforwardness might be what makes it so appealing; there’s no narrative complications or annoying monetization tactics, just an engaging, addictive gameplay experience. Some timeless classics in gaming are much like this.

At Push Square, our Game of the Year top 10 selections are based on votes cast by both our internal team and regular contributors. Additionally, our community’s choices play a role in the final results. We invite you to share your thoughts and opinions about our list in the comments section below, whether you agree or disagree with our picks.

You can check out all of our Game of the Year coverage by clicking the link.

Do you agree with Balatro being our #5 Game of the Year? (43 votes)

  1. Absolutely, it’s in the right spot21%
  2. It should be higher on the list23%
  3. It should be lower on the list14%
  4. It shouldn’t even be on the list7%
  5. I don’t know / I haven’t played it35%

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2024-12-28 19:36