10 Best Games Like Balatro

Balatro is a roguelike deckbuilder inspired by poker but with a different gameplay. It deviates from traditional card games through funny and creative twists and turns that create almost endless possibilities.

The game’s fun and innovative gameplay design has helped stir interest in the deck-building roguelike genre. While not all deck-building games are as innovative as Balatro, there are lots of fun and creative titles to satisfy this interest. Here is an overview of the ten best games, like Balatro.

10. Dicey Dungeons

Dicey Dungeons is inspired by dice instead of cards like Balatro. Nevertheless, it is a creative roguelike game, unlike ordinary dice games. You play as an adorable dice, going on quests into dungeons after every roll. The game features quite a lot of action, as you must battle diverse enemies and bosses when exploring the dungeons. You can also collect loot and level up your character as you go. You don’t control the dice roll; luck often determines the game’s outcome. However, you can also adopt strategies to balance the unknown of the roll’s outcome with endless replayability.

9. Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers

While Balatro is inspired by poker, Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers is inspired by blackjack. It features a tavern full of degenerates itching to play against you. However, this version of blackjack is corrupt, and you must learn the rules as you go. There are 60 characters to play against and over 300 cards to work with. You can try diverse playstyles, as different cards have varying purposes. For example, hearts are for healing, spades are for protection, and diamonds are for currency. Moreover, different card combinations create rule-breaking synergies.

8. Banners of Ruin

Banners of Ruin has a gameplay design that is very similar to that of a traditional RPG. However, it is categorized as a roguelike deck-building game, as cards unlock unique skills and abilities that affect characters’ playstyles. You can build your deck by unlocking, buying, or stealing cards. Strategizing during deck-building is crucial, as the enemies you fight have AI-learning abilities. Besides passive abilities from deck-building, you can also collect weapons and armor to support your fighting styles.

7. Ring of Pain

Another game like Balatro is Ring of Pain, a dungeon crawler with a versatile deck-building system. You venture into randomly generated dungeons where diverse encounters come to you. The dungeons harbor over 50 diverse creatures with varying abilities. You must learn and adapt to their strategies as you fight them to survive. You can also collect loot and unlock over 300 unique items, which you can combine in a 15-slot inventory system. The action is epic and turn-based, and you can play as fast or slow as you like.

6. Griftlands

Griftlands is a deck-building RPG where every decision matters and death comes fast if you are not careful. Players fight and negotiate their way through a broken-down sci-fi world, teaming with enemies. Each player has a deck of combat and negotiation cards that expand their skills and unlock new abilities. Combat cards give you fighting skills and abilities that you can use to defeat enemies, while negotiation cards help you talk your way out of tough situations. Interestingly, you can play as three characters, each with unique campaigns, personalities, abilities, playstyles, and stories.

5. Void Tyrant

Void Tyrant is a hybrid deck-builder RPG set in an ever-changing galaxy. You build and customize a powerful deck of ability cards as you explore diverse planets. Your adventure brings you across hostile aliens, whom you must fight in strategic, card-based, blackjack-like combat. Your cards determine your abilities, which determine your winning chances. You can also use the cards to upgrade your spaceport and use your wits and abilities to disarm traps. Besides action and adventure, you can also enjoy an intriguing story-telling experience involving the mythical Chronos.

4. Inscryption

Inscryption is a story-rich, card-based horror game that takes you on an unexpected and deeply disturbing odyssey. It blends three intriguing concepts: deck-building, psychological horror, and escape-room-style puzzles. You need cards to escape dangerous rooms and uncover intriguing mysteries. However, the ways to get these cards are horrific and involve self-mutilation, surgery, and drafting. Interestingly, you can also try Inscryption: Kaycee’s Mod for deeper, more varied gameplay features. Kaycee’s Mod is not a mod but rather an expansion with challenge runs and infinite unlockable items.

3. Across the Obelisk

Across the Obelisk is a dungeon crawler where deck-building is an integral aspect of the gameplay just like Balatro. How you build your deck of cards determines your overall playstyle when going on quests. You have over 500 cards to work with. In addition, a player has 300 items to collect and equip themselves. The game features 16 heroes in four different classes. You can take sole control of a party of four heroes or play with friends in the 2-4-player co-op mode. The fights are epic, and the adventure evolves as your deck grows and changes.

2. Monster Train

Monster Train boasts a versatile gameplay design based on a unique concept. You take control of a clan of monsters and go on a mission to prevent hell from freezing over. The game features five clans, each with a unique playstyle and card deck. Moreover, it features over 220 cards and ten different starter decks to choose from. Each clan can also unlock ten levels, and each level features new cards. The game is highly customizable, and you can even design and share challenge levels with other players.

1. Slay the Spire

Slay the Spire is one of the most popular roguelike deck-building games of all time. The game especially stands out for its endless card combination variations, surpassing Balatro’s. It features over 350 fully implemented cards and four characters with unique card sets. Moreover, it has an endless replayability option, as the layout, cards, bosses, relics, and enemies differ every time you climb up the spire. What’s more? The custom mode enables you to mix and match various run modifiers to create new and unique experiences.

So, what’s your take on our picks for the ten best games like Balatro? Let us know on our socials here or in the comments below.