4.5/5 ★ – jackohdee's review of Balatro.

Pocket-sized fun that will have the whole family saying "Hit Me" this holiday season! Seriously, I played this on my phone basically every moment I could for about two weeks straight - that taunting Joker beckons you in for one round after another in one of the most satisfying game loops I've seen since Hades. Vibes here are pretty amazing. That main theme's lo-fi, low energy melody makes you feel like a gambler in the haze of a never ending up-down casino trip. All the thrill and glamour of a poker problem with none of the financial risk. The art is fantastic too - I always looked forward to turning over a new, undiscovered joker with their distinct cards and clever mechanics. The only thing that kept this from being a perfect 5-star for me is that once I figured out the true key to success (scalable bonuses, baby) it did lose some of it's magic. If I wasn't getting a Green Joker or a Ride the Bus early in a run, I would lose interest. That's a shame, because the early mystique of this game was incredible. So many perks. So many possibilities. Cosmic energy and dark magic helping you along the way. Balatro is the deck builder that anybody can find themselves all-in on.