GamerJM
Banned
- Nov 8, 2017
- 16,242
- Apr 6, 2024
- #1
I mean, I have a bit of experience with Poker and Roguelites before. I played Poker at my grandpa's sometimes growing up, but could never remember all the hands and rules. I tried to get into the Binding of Isaac but found it too difficult, and didn't like action games that were RNG dependent. I do enjoy the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games, but those seem pretty different from most other roguelikes/roguelites (copying the parts of the genre that roguelites tend not to copy, and vice versa). I swore off deckbuilders and roguelikes because I figured bullshit RNG usually isn't fun to deal with, and I haven't really enjoyed TCG games a ton when I've dabbled in them.
That being said, I tried Balatro because some people on a Discord server I'm on were talking about it more than any other game in years, and I think it's an easy GotY for me, possibly an all-time top 20-tier game if I keep playing it for the next several months. I'm curious if there are other games I'd like similar things about? I'll outline what I love/dislike about Balatro below.
What I love about Balatro:
- I think my favorite thing about this game is that it feels like it takes the decision-making parts of RPGs, speeds it up, and makes it into its own game. My favorite parts of RPGs have always been manipulating my equipment/team compositions to maximize my stats. Doing the arithmetic in my head of "oh, will this reach the threshold of damage that I need to perform". That sort of thing. Balatro feels like a game where those sorts of decisions are the only thing you really do. It cuts out all the bullshit, all of the overworld navigation, story tree decisions, learning boss gimmicks, dungeon puzzles, cutscenes, etc. and just focuses on what I really care about in RPGs. That's also a big part of why I don't mind the RNG in practice; the game is all strategy, so you have to plan around the RNG in the same way you do in an RPG.
- Seeing numbers go up. This shit is like a drug to me. I love seeing numbers grow and get bigger and Balatro delivers on this in a way that I wished Disgaea would but doesn't. The way the UI emphasizes beating the required chips for a round with a single hand, the shaking it does, the just the way it displays numbers, it's all....*chef's kiss*. This game feels like a love letter to weirdos like me who like doing arithmetic with big numbers.
- Recognizing what the "best" Poker hand in your hand is and then playing it. This just feels like a perfect little subgame, like Chess or Tetris. Just something that's intrinsically fun to do, in a way that I wouldn't change anything about. Something so perfect that it almost feels like it wasn't designed by humans.
- How breezy and easy it is to start and end runs. Runs are the perfect length, starting one isn't a big commitment. I've played rounds of Balatro on half hour bus rides. And the UI is so simple and quick that it's just so easy to get in and out of a game.
What I don't like as much about Balatro:
- While the RNG doesn't bother me as much as I thought it might, ultimately I would prefer if there was something a little less RNG-focused. Losing a run because you didn't get a good Joker early on kinda sucks.
- While this hasn't happened yet, I could see myself burning out on the game when I clear every difficulty with every deck, if I manage to do that. Endless mode isn't actually something that's easy to keep up with, the game gets very difficult after a few antes past 8. Ideally I'd like something that could continue on nearly forever if you want, even if you're not amazing at the game.
Lump
One Winged Slayer
Member
- Oct 25, 2017
- 17,540
- Apr 6, 2024
- #2
Bolatro is a special kind of genius because it so effortlessly guides the player into adapting Poker strategies you've practiced your whole life into crazy game mechanics specific to the roguelike. I don't know if Bolatro would be nearly as satisfying to someone new to Poker but I imagine it would still be a good time.
Honestly makes me think all sorts of CCGs would make great roguelikes. Wouldn't be surprised if Hearthstone has or had a mode like this in the last few years I haven't paid any attention to it.
Don Fluffles
Member
- Oct 28, 2017
- 7,477
- Apr 6, 2024
- #3
Luck be a Landlord is Balatro for slot machines.
DC5remy
Member
- Jan 20, 2018
- 8,732
- Denver co
- Apr 6, 2024
- #4
There is nothing like it OP. I can't think of another game to link it to.
WordsAndDreams
Member
- Jan 4, 2018
- 1,268
- Apr 6, 2024
- #5
It's not really the same gameplay-wise, but besides Balatro, the only other deck builder game I've really loved is Inscryption. To me, it has the right balance of being a card game but also feeling more like a puzzle/RPG at the same time. Like, the card part has depth that allows for different builds (some of which can almost break the game), but isn't too complex that it becomes overwhelming.
Plus it just has a really nice style too, which for me goes a long way.
super-famicom
Avenger
- Oct 26, 2017
- 27,886
- Apr 7, 2024
- #6
Don Fluffles said:
And it was a direct influence for the developer. I highly recommend it!
Snagret
Member
- Oct 25, 2017
- 2,001
- Apr 7, 2024
- #7
Honestly the only other game to give me the same kind of buzz was Vampire Survivors. They are both breezy and kind of feel suspiciously like slot machines and have insane number inflation. Obviously not even close as far as gameplay but as far as the way I interacted with the game and the parts of my brain it fired up, that's the only example I can think of.
JazzmanZ
One Winged Slayer
Member
- Oct 25, 2017
- 2,876
- Apr 7, 2024
- #8
May I suggest Cookie Clicker
VyechnayaSlava
Member
- Dec 15, 2017
- 775
- Apr 7, 2024
- #9
Slay the Spire can hit a lot of the same buttons for you, and I have spent over 1000 hours on that game.
Tennis
Member
- Oct 27, 2017
- 1,429
- Apr 7, 2024
- #10
Slay the Spire is still the king, such a well designed game
Ryszard
Member
- Apr 7, 2018
- 420
- Apr 7, 2024
- #11
See a couple of people recommending you Slay the Spire (or Monster Train, I think I prefer this one). The thing is that you can love Balatro and maybe don't enjoy Slay the Spire or Monster Train as much as other people do. I think there's a difference, they are not as direct as Balatro (you have to choose your path, there are events, the battles can be long...).
So I'm going to recommend something different.
Bingle Bingle, new game following the success of Balatro.
Bingle Bingle on Steam
Bingle Bingle is a 'Roulette Builder' game where you can create your own Roulette. Strategically combine various betting options and unique balls to create synergies, earn extreme scores, and beat the casino
store.steampowered.com
Or LuckLand, something similar to Luck to be a Landlord but not sot ugly to look at.
LuckLand on Steam
LuckLand is a strategy casual game that combines elements such as card building and Roguelike. To achieve ultimate victory, all you need to do is rotate the chessboard. This game does not include any real world currency gambling or micro trading.
store.steampowered.com
Fat4all
Woke up, got a money tag, swears a lot
Banned
- Oct 25, 2017
- 105,494
- here
- Apr 7, 2024
- #12
my personal favorite roguelike is FTL
the music is fantastic, and it lets me live out my star trek dreams
ive put hundreds of hours into it
JuniperAndSage
Member
- Dec 27, 2019
- 6,625
- Seattle
- Apr 7, 2024
- #13
GamerJM said:
I think my favorite thing about this game is that it feels like it takes the decision-making parts of RPGs, speeds it up, and makes it into its own game. My favorite parts of RPGs have always been manipulating my equipment/team compositions to maximize my stats. Doing the arithmetic in my head of "oh, will this reach the threshold of damage that I need to perform". That sort of thing. Balatro feels like a game where those sorts of decisions are the only thing you really do. It cuts out all the bullshit, all of the overworld navigation, story tree decisions, learning boss gimmicks, dungeon puzzles, cutscenes, etc. and just focuses on what I really care about in RPGs. That's also a big part of why I don't mind the RNG in practice; the game is all strategy, so you have to plan around the RNG in the same way you do in an RPG.
Try Backpack Battles- that's exactly what it is. You're buying RPG gear from a shop, arranging it in your backpack(s) in the most effective way you can, doing battle, and then heading back to the shop to repeat. It's just shopping, making RPG builds, and refining your build, over and over again for 20ish minutes a game.
And if you're on Steam, it's in a bundle with Balatro, so you'll even get a discount.
Save 10% on Backpack Battles on Steam
A PvP inventory management auto battler! Buy and craft powerful items, then carefully arrange them in your backpack.
store.steampowered.com
i hate cheaters
Member
- Feb 16, 2018
- 2,772
- Apr 7, 2024
- #14
slay the spire & FTL are good, but just be aware that most roguelikes have some sort of HP system that carries over between fights, so they are extremely punishing
balatro basically lets you fully heal after every single fight. that makes it extremely forgiving and lets you make a ton of mistakes. if you hate losing in balatro (other than during some of the random BS boss blinds), other games will probably feel a lot worse in that regard
if the main attraction is the optimization / numbers-go-up stuff, you might like 4X strategy more. the runs are the reverse of a roguelike. the RNG / difficulty / variety is in the first half instead of the second half. i haven't really found a way to skip the boring early levels in roguelikes and fast-forward to the parts where i have interesting abilities. however, games do have a way to skip the later levels (just quit early 😉)
Gavalanche
Prophet of Regret
Member
- Oct 21, 2021
- 23,269
- Apr 7, 2024
- #15
Don Fluffles said:
Second this, incredible game.
zulux21
Member
- Oct 25, 2017
- 20,685
- Apr 7, 2024
- #16
play other games?
I just play more Balatro :P
also I will note to
"While the RNG doesn't bother me as much as I thought it might, ultimately I would prefer if there was something a little less RNG-focused. Losing a run because you didn't get a good Joker early on kinda sucks."
the game is less RNG than it feels, or more so there are a lot of ways to make up for the RNG with jokers if you utilize all the mechanics the game has to offer.
as for
"While this hasn't happened yet, I could see myself burning out on the game when I clear every difficulty with every deck, if I manage to do that. Endless mode isn't actually something that's easy to keep up with, the game gets very difficult after a few antes past 8. Ideally I'd like something that could continue on nearly forever if you want, even if you're not amazing at the game."
First of all the dev has already confirmed a significant update coming. Second the modding scene to Balatro is coming along nicely with people already making some fun jokers, challenges, decks and what not with it. With more time I have little doubt that even if the dev decides nah I don't want to do this anymore that the modding community will keep making content and that people will curate it and give lots of content and different ways to play.
This all being said, from all the stuff you said perhaps you may want to give the disgaea series a check out. It's a tactical RPG where it has like a 20-40 hour main story and then a ton of extra content to do. The main story will take you to level 60-100 or so but your characters in general go to level 9999, and the numbers just keep going up, and you reset them to go higher and higher. You level up characters, you level up skills, you level up gear, you level up to make numbers go up in general. It's got some anime crap in it at times, but in general it's a solid series for making your numbers go up that I've wasted a ton of time just leveling up my characters and messing with the random levels in item world. I did a ton of time in Disgaea 2, but most of the titles are solid.
astro
Member
- Oct 25, 2017
- 63,184
- Apr 7, 2024
- #17
Definitely try Slay the Spire if you've not, OP.
Lump said:
Bolatro is a special kind of genius because it so effortlessly guides the player into adapting Poker strategies you've practiced your whole life into crazy game mechanics specific to the roguelike. I don't know if Bolatro would be nearly as satisfying to someone new to Poker but I imagine it would still be a good time.
Honestly makes me think all sorts of CCGs would make great roguelikes. Wouldn't be surprised if Hearthstone has or had a mode like this in the last few years I haven't paid any attention to it.
I think most people playing don't have poker experience. Definitely not required to enojy and do well in this game.
Ferrio
Member
- Oct 25, 2017
- 19,231
- Apr 7, 2024
- #18
JuniperAndSage said:
Try Backpack Battles- that's exactly what it is. You're buying RPG gear from a shop, arranging it in your backpack(s) in the most effective way you can, doing battle, and then heading back to the shop to repeat. It's just shopping, making RPG builds, and refining your build, over and over again for 20ish minutes a game.
And if you're on Steam, it's in a bundle with Balatro, so you'll even get a discount.
Save 10% on Backpack Battles on Steam
A PvP inventory management auto battler! Buy and craft powerful items, then carefully arrange them in your backpack.
store.steampowered.com
Yes we need more Backpack Battles love.
JuniperAndSage
Member
- Dec 27, 2019
- 6,625
- Seattle
- Apr 7, 2024
- #19
Ferrio said:
Honestly kind of sad that the crossover and bundle hasn't gotten it much attention from all the Balatro players here…
harry the spy
Member
- Oct 25, 2017
- 3,286
- Apr 7, 2024
- #20
So I probably won't enjoy Balatro if I don't know anything about poker?
It's hard for me not to recommend slay the spire. It is just so excellent
Patapuf
Member
- Oct 26, 2017
- 7,134
- Apr 7, 2024
- #21
harry the spy said:
So I probably won't enjoy Balatro if I don't know anything about poker?
It's hard for me not to recommend slay the spire. It is just so excellent
Poker is really more of a setting for balatro. The game itself doesn't have much to do with playing actual poker aside from you building hands.
And what those are, are really the only "poker" rules you need to know. f.e. Full house, flush, straight, four of a kind etc. People might be also be familiar with those from other games like yathzee.
And the game does give plenty of help with determining hands.
Yam's
Member
- Oct 27, 2017
- 4,029
- Apr 7, 2024
- #22
GamerJM said:
What I love about Balatro:
- I think my favorite thing about this game is that it feels like it takes the decision-making parts of RPGs, speeds it up, and makes it into its own game. My favorite parts of RPGs have always been manipulating my equipment/team compositions to maximize my stats. Doing the arithmetic in my head of "oh, will this reach the threshold of damage that I need to perform". That sort of thing. Balatro feels like a game where those sorts of decisions are the only thing you really do. It cuts out all the bullshit, all of the overworld navigation, story tree decisions, learning boss gimmicks, dungeon puzzles, cutscenes, etc. and just focuses on what I really care about in RPGs. That's also a big part of why I don't mind the RNG in practice; the game is all strategy, so you have to plan around the RNG in the same way you do in an RPG.
- Seeing numbers go up. This shit is like a drug to me. I love seeing numbers grow and get bigger and Balatro delivers on this in a way that I wished Disgaea would but doesn't. The way the UI emphasizes beating the required chips for a round with a single hand, the shaking it does, the just the way it displays numbers, it's all....*chef's kiss*. This game feels like a love letter to weirdos like me who like doing arithmetic with big numbers.
Considering those two points, have you tried Vampire Survivor and its many clones? Because that's the whole gameplay loop of these games. You make decisions toward a build and enjoy the numbers and efficiency going up.
There's also Loop Hero. Again you carefully choose which equipments and tiles you're gonna need (finding the correct balance between too greedy and not enough to level up fast enough) and enjoy your hero becoming a powerhouse.
Loop Hero on Steam
The Lich has thrown the world into a timeless loop and plunged its inhabitants into never ending chaos. Wield an expanding deck of mystical cards to place enemies, buildings, and terrain along each unique expedition loop for the brave hero.
store.steampowered.com
Or fight capitalism:
Save 50% on Final Profit: A Shop RPG on Steam
FINAL PROFIT is a story driven shop-sim RPG. Gather products and find customers. Spend your hard-earned profits on upgrades and investments. Make far-reaching choices as you expand your business. And explore a world full of secrets on your quest to defeat capitalism by becoming the best at it!
store.steampowered.com
Gavalanche
Prophet of Regret
Member
- Oct 21, 2021
- 23,269
- Apr 7, 2024
- #23
JuniperAndSage said:
Honestly kind of sad that the crossover and bundle hasn't gotten it much attention from all the Balatro players here…
I am waiting for them to add achievements before I play!
raspberrymousse
Member
- Mar 19, 2021
- 4,844
- Apr 7, 2024
- #24
harry the spy said:
So I probably won't enjoy Balatro if I don't know anything about poker?
It's hard for me not to recommend slay the spire. It is just so excellent
You really don't need to know anything at all. I knew nothing and was able to get into it extremely quickly
Sande
Member
- Oct 25, 2017
- 6,852
- Apr 7, 2024
- #25
It shares a lot of DNA with autobattlers, so might wanna give those a try.
Lilyth
Banned
- Sep 13, 2019
- 1,194
- Apr 7, 2024
- #26
Dicey Dungeons might be to your liking.
Snagret
Member
- Oct 25, 2017
- 2,001
- Apr 7, 2024
- #27
Lilyth said:
Ooh this is a pretty good one actually
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