Balatro
News, coverage and analysis tracking Balatro across the outlets.
Big Tech openly wants to manipulate us with AI. That seems bad to meThis opinion piece argues that the tech industry's push for generative AI, particularly for hyperpersonalization in gaming, is manipulative and ethically questionable. It criticizes the use of AI to predict player churn and adjust gameplay or offers in real-time to increase spending, comparing it to creating 'psychological prisons.' The author contrasts this with developers who prioritize enriching players' lives through game creation, even if it means less profit.- Titanium Court mashes together genres and cultural references to tell a strange, funny taleTitanium Court is a unique roguelite that blends match-three mechanics with tower defense and adventure game elements. Developed by AP Thomson and published by Fellow Traveller, the game features smart, funny writing and unexpected narrative turns. It recently won the Seumas McNally Grand Prize at the Independent Games Festival Awards and is available on PC and Mac, with a demo also available.
Slay the Spire 2 dev says an early idea was to actually reduce the card pool, but players hated it: 'We need new…Casey Yano, co-creator of Slay the Spire and co-founder of Mega Crit Games, discussed the design of Slay the Spire 2 in a new interview. He revealed that an early idea was to reduce the card pool, but playtesters disliked it. Yano also drew inspiration from the Dark Souls series for character build progression and mentioned Balatro as an example of natural game mechanic scaling.- Why Autosave Games Are the Only Games Parents Play | TAGThis article argues that autosave functionality is the most crucial feature for parents playing video games, especially in 2026. It highlights games like Slay the Spire 2, Balatro, and Cyberpunk 2077 for their robust autosave systems, while cautioning against titles with infrequent or manual save points, which can lead to significant progress loss due to unpredictable interruptions.
- 8 Single-Player Games With Honest Save Points (2026) | TAGThis guide highlights eight single-player games with save systems that respect players' time, allowing for short gaming sessions. Titles like Slay the Spire 2, Celeste, and Balatro offer near-instantaneous saves, while games such as Disco Elysium and Cyberpunk 2077 provide save-anywhere functionality. Other games like Stardew Valley, Dave the Diver, and Hades II save at natural breaks in their gameplay loops.
- 8 Short Roguelikes You Can Finish Before Bed (2026) | TAGThis guide highlights eight roguelike games that can be completed in a single session, ideal for players with limited time. Titles like Balatro, Hades II, and Slay the Spire 2 are recommended for their short run times and flexible save systems, making them suitable for playing before bed. The article also discusses the technical distinction between roguelikes and roguelites.
- 30-Minute Gaming Session: 12 Games That Respect Time | TAGThis guide highlights 12 video games designed for short play sessions, catering to busy adults who can only dedicate around 30 minutes to gaming. It features titles like Balatro, Vampire Survivors, Hades II, and Rocket League, emphasizing games with natural stopping points, quick progression, and autosave features. The article also discusses what makes a game 'time-respecting' and provides recommendations for different time constraints and play styles.
Slay the Spire 2 almost had fewer new cards because of the co-creator's love for Dark Souls, but testers "were…Slay the Spire 2 co-creator Casey Yano initially wanted the sequel to feature fewer new cards for returning characters, inspired by the Dark Souls series' approach to build replication. However, playtesters expressed a strong desire for more new content, leading Mega Crit Games to adjust the design. This decision has contributed to the early success of Slay the Spire 2.- King's Well AnnouncedFire Brick Games has announced King's Well, a new roguelite deckbuilder inspired by Balatro. The game is set to release on PC in Q3 of this year.
Drop-In, Drop-Out: Best Games for Unpredictable Schedules | TAGThis guide highlights games suitable for players with unpredictable schedules, focusing on titles that allow for easy pausing and resuming without penalty. It emphasizes features like frequent autosaves, low memory burden, and self-contained sessions. Games like Vampire Survivors, Stardew Valley, and Forza Horizon 5 are recommended for their interruptible nature, while console features like Xbox Quick Resume and Nintendo Switch Sleep Mode are noted as crucial aids.
Slay the Spire 2 won't get an endless mode like Balatro because it limits "infinite strategies," but creator says "maybe a modder will think of a way to make it work"Mega Crit co-creator Casey Yano stated that Slay the Spire 2 will likely not receive an "endless mode" similar to Balatro, as it limits "infinite strategies" and the deckbuilding becomes less exciting over longer runs. However, Yano suggested that a modder might create such a mode in the future.
Games Inbox: Are retro games better than modern gaming?Readers debate whether retro games are superior to modern gaming, citing the current industry's perceived issues and long waits between major releases. While some appreciate the raw excitement of older titles, others acknowledge the advancements in technology and gameplay offered by contemporary games, including indie titles and remakes like Resident Evil 4.
If you loved Balatro, don't miss your chance to get this indie deck builder at under $3Fanatical is offering discounts on indie games, including the deckbuilder 'This Ain't Even Poker, Ya Joker,' which shares similarities with 'Balatro.' Players can build custom bundles of Steam games, with prices decreasing as more titles are added, making 'This Ain't Even Poker, Ya Joker' available for under $3. The sale also features other titles like 'The Evil Within' and 'Metal Garden' and is a limited-time deal.- Review - Beyond Words (Switch) | WayTooManyGamesBeyond Words is a delightful puzzle game for the Nintendo Switch that blends mechanics similar to Balatro and Scrabble. While it can be addictive, the game's scoring thresholds can be overly demanding, sometimes relying more on luck than vocabulary. Despite this, it offers a refreshing gameplay experience.
- Beyond Words Review - Jump Dash RollJump Dash Roll reviews Beyond Words, a game that aims to be the Balatro of Scrabble. The review explores whether the game successfully captures the essence of Scrabble with its mechanics.
- Saddle Up For Far Far West, The Co-op Cowboy Shooter With A Spooky Twist, Launching on Steam April 28Far Far West, a co-op FPS cowboy shooter with supernatural elements developed by Evil Raptor and published by Fireshine Games, is set to launch on PC via Steam on April 28. The game features robot cowboys battling occult creatures and offers a variety of weapons, spells, and upgrades for players to customize their bounty hunter.
The Best Roguelikes for 30-Minute Sessions (We Actually Timed These) | TAGThis guide identifies roguelike games genuinely suitable for 30-minute play sessions, distinguishing between games that can be paused and those with naturally short, complete runs. It highlights titles like Vampire Survivors, Brotato, Balatro, Hades, and Dicey Dungeons as perfect fits, while also discussing games like Into the Breach and Slay the Spire that work well with save-and-quit features despite longer individual runs. The article aims to help busy gamers find satisfying experiences within limited time constraints.
Review: Beyond Words (Switch) - Addictive In The Best Ways, But Totally Copies Balatro's HomeworkBeyond Words is an addictive roguelike word game for the Nintendo Switch that draws heavy inspiration from Balatro. Developed by MindFuel Games, it combines Scrabble-like word building with roguelike progression and purchasable upgrades. While it successfully utilizes addictive mechanics, the game is notably derivative of its inspiration.
Beyond Words is Scrabble meets Balatro, and it's left me feeling like I've gone ten rounds with a dictionaryBeyond Words is a word game that blends Scrabble's tile-laying with Balatro's score-exploding power cards. While the game offers deep strategic potential through its unique card synergies, the reviewer found it challenging to consistently reach high scores and experience these moments, requiring a significant time investment to discover its full appeal.
Beyond Words Review | TheXboxHubBeyond Words is a genre-defining fusion of roguelike deck-building and word-puzzle mechanics, drawing inspiration from games like Balatro and the classic board game Scrabble. Developed by MindFuel Games, the title challenges players to create words using a tile system with various modifiers and power-ups, offering deep strategic gameplay. Despite occasional controller navigation issues on Xbox Series X, the game is praised for its replayability and clever design.