Balatro creator gets ‘a taste of my own medicine’ as he struggles in vain to score the game’s hardest achievement

Balatro, the poker roguelike that captured the hearts of gamers and critics alike, was crowned PC Gamer’s 2024 Game of the Year for a multitude of compelling reasons. Among them, the sheer addictive nature of the game has kept players, including the development team, glued to their screens. It seems that the enchantment of Balatro extends even to its creator, LocalThunk, who finds himself in a relentless battle against the very challenges he designed.

The Creator’s Challenge

LocalThunk has proven his prowess in the game, boasting about conquering Balatro with every deck across all difficulty levels. His skills were on full display at the Game Developers Conference (GDC), where he played incognito, astonishing onlookers with his deep understanding of the game’s mechanics and strategies. Yet, despite these impressive feats, LocalThunk remains driven to achieve a complete mastery of Balatro, aiming for the elusive “100%” completion. This quest has led him to confront one of the game’s most formidable obstacles: The Wall.

In a humorous twist, LocalThunk shared a meme featuring the iconic “are ya winning son?” phrase alongside a “game over” screen from Balatro, illustrating his recent defeat at the hands of The Wall. He candidly remarked, “But for real I’m at 146/150 for completionist++ and getting a taste of my own medicine.” A fellow gamer, Mark, aptly responded, “Well well well if it isn’t the consequences of my actions,” highlighting the irony of the situation.

LocalThunk has already achieved the completionist+ milestone, a challenging feat that requires players to triumph at gold stakes with every deck. It’s a testament to the game’s difficulty that even its creator finds himself grappling with its challenges, much to the delight of players who have faced similar struggles.

Looking ahead, Balatro is set to receive a 1.1 update, which promises to introduce new Jokers and additional content. However, the exact timing of this update remains uncertain, with the publisher humorously stating, “He’s just gonna show up one day and say, ‘Here’s 100 Jokers.'” This playful uncertainty only adds to the excitement surrounding the game, as players eagerly anticipate what LocalThunk will unveil next.

AppWizard
Balatro creator gets 'a taste of my own medicine' as he struggles in vain to score the game's hardest achievement