By Mary-Ellis Ryan

Are you the type of person to shy away from card games? I am, too. You’d usually never catch me playing an online card game. But surprisingly, I’ve found myself really enjoying Balatro on the Apple Arcade. 

At first, I was skeptical because, well, it’s just poker. What’s so special about it? Honestly, I just don’t like poker, period. But looking through the reviews on the Play store, I’ve seen people say they’ve spent tons of hours on it. When I say TON of hours, I mean it. One mentioned how they “logged over 600 hours on Steam.” I was like, wow, this game must be the real deal. News flash: it is!

Maybe it’s the strategy, the design, or just the fact that there’s a cool clown shading you for losing the round. It’s kind of sick honestly. It’s like solitary meeting poker or at least that’s how it’s, Balatro is a poker game with a retro twist, blending card building with a unique, vintage-inspired style.

Unlike traditional poker, where you compete against other players, you’re playing solo. Balatro brings a fresh twist to the deck-building genre. offering an experience that’s both fun and engaging. Right from the start, the game grabs your attention with its awesome, colorful art style that feels unique. But I must say it’ll be difficult at the start to understand the gameplay if you don’t have any previous experience with poker. It would’ve been great if the game had a more detailed and simplified guide that you can access anytime. Yes, the tutorial at the beginning was helpful, but I don’t believe it explained enough on how to play the game, so you may need to read a separate guide.

But eventually the gameplay becomes easier. Also, it’s rich with strategy, challenging players to think carefully about every move. Each card you play matters, and your decisions can completely change the outcome making every playthrough exciting and full of surprise, but don’t be fooled! The higher the score, the greater the effort required and the more strategic one must be as the challenges become increasingly difficult. It’s a must-play for anyone looking for a new, exciting take on the classic card game.

That’s not all though, the sound effects in Balatro add an extra layer of satisfaction that’s oddly addictive. Every shuffle of the deck, every card drawn comes with its own perfectly-timed sound cue. Each sound feels like it’s supposed to be there, synced with the card’s movement. When you draw a card, there’s a soft, satisfying “click” that feels almost like the game is saying, “Your move.” This may seem exaggerated, but I can imagine it.

But the best part? It’s never too loud or overbearing. The sound effects add to the experience without overshadowing it, which is a rarity in many games where sound design often feels like it’s just trying to grab attention. It’s like playing poker but instead the game’s just as entertaining to listen to as it is to play. Honestly, I even might find myself replaying just to hear that satisfying click.

The music in Balatro deserves special mention, as it perfectly complements the gameplay. With an upbeat laid back vibe, the soundtrack creates a relaxing atmosphere that lets you focus on the game without becoming distracting. It’s the kind of music that you can easily keep on repeat, adding to the captivating feel of the game while allowing you to stay in the zone during intense decision-making moments.

The artwork in Balatro is also quite impressive, offering a visual experience that’s uniquely its own. It’s got this perfect balance where it never feels too overwhelming, allowing you to stay concentrated on the game while still appreciating all the details, and when you unlock different abilities, and can customize your cards with different designs like, clubs, diamond and hearts? That’s a game-changer. It’s like putting your own personal touch on your deck, and as you do, the game becomes even more engaging. It adds an extra excitement, making you want to keep playing just to see what new cards you can unlock. 

Powerups make Balatro special and ere are a few that thrilled me:

• Joker power boost increases your multiplier by 20 times,
• Planet cards increase your level and unlock more powerful abilities,
• Tarot cards power up your planet cards and enhance their effects.

There are all kinds of surprises, even the Balatro’s background.

This may seem strange, but there’s something about the green wave that flows and swirls in the background. It’s incredibly relaxing and meditative to look at. It’s the kind of background that’s visually captivating without distracting you, it could almost make you forget you’re in the middle of a poker showdown… almost.

These little details are important because all these elements come together so nicely, making the entire experience feel effortless. 

The best part? Balatro is a game you can get lost in for hours without even realizing it, whether you’re a poker pro or just someone who likes a good challenge. If you’re looking for a fresh take on the classic game that originated in New Orleans around 1810, Balatro’s layers of creativity and strategy are waiting for you. Trust me, once you start, you won’t want to stop.

Mary-Ellis Ryan attends Baruch High School. She is the newest intern at the New York Videogame Critics Circle, and we look forward to publishing more of her work.

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