Who needs perfection when Balatro lets you skate by with just good enough?
With the right set of Jokers, a run in Balatro can feel almost easy at times.
In fact, that’s how very few runs usually go.
Each ante has three blinds, two of which can be completely skipped.
You won’t earn any money or get to visit the shop, but you will get something else.
Importantly, the reward is never a specific Joker–only certain modifiers or rarities.
This design feels purposeful, based on other aspects of how the game works.
When you reach a new ante, Baltro presents you with a ton of information.
The catch though is that you typically can’t get rid of these items easily.
Despite that, they do feel just as satisfying, albeit in a different way.
All of this comes together to create a roguelike experience where I never feel compelled to abandon a run.
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