Balatro Creator Comments on Game’s High Review Scores

by

Summary

  • Balatro creator LocalThunk couldn’t believe how high review scores for Balatro were at the game’s launch.
  • The developer said that the scores ‘didn’t make any sense,’ even claiming that he would have only given the game an eight out of ten at the time.
  • The poker roguelike continues to be a hit, selling over 3.5 million copies by December 2024.

As a fervent admirer of Balatro, I couldn’t help but feel a whirlwind of emotions when I first saw the overwhelming response to its release in February 2024. Created by the talented mind behind LocalThunk, this indie gem was one of the most significant titles to emerge last year, captivating gamers with its unique blend of poker and roguelike elements. In fact, it even secured a well-deserved nomination for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2024, leaving me in absolute awe.

2024 saw me utterly captivated by the unveiling of Balatro on February 20th. This indie gem immediately resonated with many, thanks to its intuitive yet challenging gameplay mechanics. The fast-paced action and addictive nature of the game had us all hooked as we strove to form Poker hands that would meet specific point objectives. A myriad of unique Joker cards were thrown into the mix, each adding their own multipliers and special abilities, making for a dynamic and exciting experience. When two or more Jokers are combined, it’s not uncommon to see scores skyrocket into hundreds of millions! The past year has been a whirlwind of strategy formulation among fans as we try to outsmart each other. Despite the widespread acclaim, its creator initially doubted whether Balatro would find favor with mainstream audiences.

In a recent blog update, developer LocalThunk provided insights into the development journey of Balatro, detailing aspects such as its release date. Notably, PC Gamer was the first major reviewer, awarding the game a score of 91. According to LocalThunk, he was conversing with publisher Playstack when this rating was announced. The developer expressed his surprise, stating, “I can tell they are quite taken aback. I am too. That score doesn’t seem logical.” Following this, Balatro garnered rave reviews from numerous other publications and a multitude of players, resulting in a 92 rating on OpenCritic. LocalThunk mentioned that this unexpectedly positive reception increased his anticipation for the launch day. He humorously added that he would only rate his own creation an eight out of 10. The solo developer also asserted that the game’s successful launch was significantly larger than both him and the publisher had foreseen, by a factor of 10 to 20 times.

Localthunk Stunned by High Reviews Following Balatro’s February 2024 Launch

By mid-December 2024, the game titled Balatro surpassed 3.5 million copies sold, thanks in part to its exhibition at The Game Awards 2024 which sparked player curiosity about the poker deck-building game. The game was recognized with nominations for Game of the Year, Best Game Direction, Best Mobile Game, Best Independent Game, and Best Debut Indie Game, taking home victories in the latter three categories. In its debut week on Android and iOS devices, Balatro earned over $1 million in sales, and a year after its initial PC and console release, it continues to see strong sales.

In a vocal show of support for independent video games, LocalThunk has chosen “Animal Well” as its Game of the Year for 2024. This remarkable game was developed solo by Billy Basso, and it immerses players in a Metroidvania world, assuming the role of an unnamed creature navigating intricate underground labyrinths teeming with exotic creatures. The game was also recognized with numerous nominations, winning Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction at the 28th Annual D.I.C.E Awards.

Read More

2025-03-12 20:37