I am re-writing this review for the third time to once again reiterate that this is one of, if not, the BEST game ever created.

A lot of people have heralded this game as the best Deckbuilder in a post-Slay the Spire world, if you are reading this you can see that it swims in a sea of positive reviews. I'd like to take a few minutes to reiterate why I think that not only is this game the BEST deckbuilder, but it emphatically surpasses every deckbuilder in it's wake:

Balatro is simple. It's simple in it's gameplay, in it's design, and in it's delivery. By the time you win your first run in Balatro (a milestone to be certain, but one attainable by anyone who is willing to put the effort in for it), you will have learned everything there is to know about the mechanics of the game, from a gameplay perspective. There's no real meta to learn, there's no aspect of the game only introduced after you've beaten five levels or unlocked a new characters -- it's all there from the get-go. This simplicity in the gameplay structure makes for a game that is easily understood and visually interesting while doing so. Watching a streamer get a score incalculable by the game is like the visual equivalent of finally getting that annoying piece of food out of your teeth, or finally scratching the itch that couldn't be scratched.

The game's visuals and responsiveness could siphon money from the greatest of gamblers, with some of the best animations I've seen from any game when it comes to visual appeal. But this game will not ask you for a dollar after you buy it -- and it's commendable alone for that.

By adopting the commonly known and understood deck of 52, the game is approachable to effectively everyone interested in playing it. By adopting this simple and straightforward visual style, where no more information is presented than necessary at any given time, LocalThunk has created a game that is as fun to follow along with visually as it is to play.

I have bought almost all of the Balatro merchandise available. I love this game. I will be platinuming it, even though at 200 hours, I've yet to do so. I will review this game again, I'm certain. I'll probably review it again after that. This is not only THE game of the year for 2024, this is the decade's Binding of Isaac (Arguably better, in my opinion). It is the closest thing I can think of to a "Perfect Game," and it'd probably be better for you if I just advised you *not* to play it -- it's simply that addictive.

LocalThunk, thanks for making a game that has gotten me through multiple depressive episodes, a mourning of my grandparent, and all-and-all, a really rough year. I hope you continue doing this, but if you never made another game, or even another update to this one, you will have made my days survivable, when I didn't otherwise feel like I could. Fantastic job!

I have never played a game so disrespectful to my time. I've never had a game question my time management so hard. I've never had the Tetris effect on any game other than Tetris. This game makes me want to dive into this genre harder than I ever have before, with inviting mechanics simple to grasp but difficult to master, and a thrilling and relaxing premise, demanding just enough from you to stay engaged, but allowing you enough leeway to watch TV, or listen to a podcast while enjoying the game. Since I've started playing this game, more than half the time I've been awake has been taken up by playing. I cannot believe how cheap I got this for, and how cheap it still is. Must buy for any player of games, *especially* Steam Deck owners.

Better than Overwatch 2.