Alex and Luke Talk Balatro

In this episode, Alex and Luke go all-in on Balatro, the breakout roguelike deck-builder that’s equal parts poker, chaos, and obsession. Developed by LocalThunk and released in early 2024, Balatro blends classic card game mechanics with deck-breaking combos, jokers with wild effects, and a vibe that’s one part casino fever dream, one part endless strategy loop.

At the time of this recording, Balatro holds a Metacritic score of 90, and according to HowLongToBeat, you can complete the game in 7 hours—but good luck stopping. This game sinks its teeth in fast and doesn’t let go.

Both Alex and Luke played on their Steam Decks, chasing multipliers, unlocking jokers, and debating the most degenerate combos they could get away with. Join them as they unpack what makes Balatro feel so addicting, how it slots into the growing roguelike canon, and why it's been living rent-free in their brains.

This episode is unofficially brought to you in part by Slides.

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