There’s one surprise addition to theXbox Game Passcatalog that every member should take the time to check out. While I’m constantly in awe of the consistently growing range of titles on Game Pass, I’d be lying if I said every game on the service appealed to me.Game Pass is purposely designed to be for all kinds of players, meaning there are many games on the service that only appeal to certain audiences. However, there was one announcement in themost recent ID@Xbox showcasethat piqued my interest and that of many other players, and for good reason.
It’s hard to deny the huge waves thatBalatrohas made within indie gaming over the past year, and its addition to Game Pass will be a huge win for members already familiar with the poker-themed roguelike. Moreover,Balatropossesses certain qualities that allow the game to achieve huge appeal among players, regardless of skill level or preference. As someone who was initially hesitant to try the title,Balatrocaptivated me in a way that not many games can achieve, and it’s a must-try for any Game Pass member yet to play it.
Why Everyone Loves Balatro
The Game Is Easy To Learn, But Difficult To Master
It’s no secret thatBalatrohas been a hit with players and critics alike.The game saw huge success during the most recent awards season, most notably winning Best Independent Game at The Game Awards and Game of the Year at theCanadian Game Awards. With this in mind, it will leave many of you who haven’t playedBalatrowondering what makes the game so enjoyable. WhileBalatrohas many qualities, the secret to the game’s success is, in large part, due to how approachable it is.
Balatrowas, in fact, the most-awarded game at the Canadian Game Awards 2025, winning a total of 5 awards. It was followed closely behind byDragon Age: The Veilguard, which won 4 awards in total.
Balatrois deceptively simple in its first few moments, simply asking you to reach a certain score with a limited number of poker hands. However, as you progress,Balatro’s true complexity begins to show, with the introduction of Joker cards, Tarot cards, and more that can be used to ensure you meet the ever-growing score threshold.Balatroexpertly draws players into its variety of gameplay mechanics in a way that’s never overwhelming, contributing to its huge overall appeal.
After A Formal Appeal, Balatro Is No Longer Considered An 18+ Game
PEGI has finally lowered the deck-building roguelike Balatro’s age rating from PEGI 18 to 12, making it much more accessible to players everywhere
Furthermore,Balatro, like many other classic card games, is easy to learn but difficult to master. Once you finally have a grasp on how the game works, and begin to make those leaps of progress,Balatrosimply demands more from you, with several different decks and difficulty levels to choose from. Regardless of how many runs you may have already attempted,Balatroalways offers something new to keep the game fresh and exciting, which is why the game is still hugely popular.
Don’t Ask If Balatro Is The Right Game For You - It’s The Right Game For Everyone
The Game Has A Fantastic Sense Of Progression
Despite its success, many who haven’t playedBalatromight still ask whetherit’s the right game to try, and understandably so. I was certainly within that group of players for quite some time, only having picked upBalatrofollowing its triumphant run during the awards season. While I’m constantly looking to expand my indie game library, I’ve never been a fan of deck-building games in general,so I took a cautious approach when openingBalatrofor the first time. Fortunately, it didn’t take long for me to become completely engrossed in whatBalatrohad to offer.
The game never stopped providing me with opportunities to improve.
What stuck with me during my experience withBalatrois its sense of progression. Regardless of whether my last run was successful or not, I was likely to receive some new Joker card or voucher as a reward for reaching a certain milestone. WhileBalatrois certainly difficult at times, the game never stopped providing me with opportunities to improve, giving me this sense of progressionthat’s more consistent than what I’ve found in other video games.
The Inspiration Behind 2024’s Best Indie Game Is Finally Coming To Consoles: Here’s Why You Should Be Playing
One of the best indie games that inspired a 2024 GOTY nominee is finally coming to consoles, giving players the perfect opportunity to finally try it.
Balatrois a game for everyone because of how welcoming and encouraging it is overall. If you giveBalatroa chance, you’ll likely find yourself completely engrossed in its gameplay and motivated by its constant rewards and varying difficulty. WithBalatro’sXbox Game Passrelease making it more accessible than ever before, there’s almost no excuse not to give this game a go.
