Balatro Archives

AppWizard

March 20, 2025

Balatro’s LocalThunk isn’t ‘trying to pull a Banksy’, he just ‘wanted to be left alone to make his game’

Balatro, developed by LocalThunk, has become a global phenomenon featuring Geralt of Rivia, with millions of copies sold and numerous awards. Despite its success, LocalThunk prefers to remain anonymous, valuing privacy over public attention. Playstack's communications director, Wout van Halderen, noted that LocalThunk's choice to stay out of the spotlight is genuine and not a marketing strategy. The game's popularity has led to increased opportunities for merchandising and collaborations, but LocalThunk enjoys a normal personal life, often unrecognized in social settings.

AppWizard

March 14, 2025

Spring Sales for PC Games Are Live Now

Major platforms such as Steam, Fanatical, and Green Man Gaming are currently holding Spring Sales, offering significant discounts on various games. The Steam Spring Sale features titles like Balatro, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, God of War Ragnarök, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Baldur's Gate 3, and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, with Doom (2016) available at 90% off until March 20th. Green Man Gaming's Spring Sale runs until March 27th and includes deals on The Last of Us Part I, Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut, God of War, Final Fantasy XVI, Marvel's Midnight Suns Legendary Edition, and Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, with discounts exceeding 80% on the last two titles. Additionally, there are roundups of deals for console gaming on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.

AppWizard

March 14, 2025

The Steam Spring Sale 2025 is here

The Steam Spring Sale is currently live and will continue until 10 AM PT on March 20, 2025. The sale features discounts on various games, including: - The Long Dark - £8 (50% off) - Sifu - £13 (60% off) - Ballionaire - £10 (20% off) - Balatro - £11 (15% off) - Witchfire - £30 (10% off) - Helldivers 2 - £28 (20% off) - Escape Simulator - £7.49 (50% off) - The Isle - £10 (33% off) - Earth Defense Force 6 - £30 (40% off) - Atylss - £4 (50% off) - Unrailed 2: Back on Track - £13 (20% off) - Nine Sols - £17.49 (30% off) - Outer Wilds - £12 (40% off) - Airborne Empire - £20 (20% off) - Animal Well - £17 (20% off) - Life is Strange: Double Exposure - £30 (40% off) Players can earn free stickers by engaging with their Discovery Queue, and the Steam Points Shop features new Spring Sale-themed graphics.

AppWizard

March 13, 2025

Today’s Steam Spring Sale features my absolute favorite game of all time – here’s when the sale starts and all the key info

The Steam Spring Sale 2025 will feature discounts on a variety of games, including confirmed titles such as The Long Dark, Sifu, Ballionaire, Balatro, Witchfire, Helldivers 2, Escape Simulator, The Isle, Earth Defense Force 6, ATLYSS, Unrailed 2: Back on Track, Nine Sols, Outer Wilds, Airborne Empire, Animal Well, and Life Is Strange: Double Exposure. The event will conclude on Thursday, March 20 at 1 PM ET / 10 AM PT / 5 PM GMT. Steam typically has its largest sales during the Summer and Winter events.

AppWizard

March 13, 2025

Steam Spring Sale start time confirmed: Here’s when you can save on latest PC games today

Steam has launched its Spring Sale 2025, starting on March 13 at 6 PM GMT and lasting for one week. The sale features discounts on a variety of games, including AAA titles and indie games. Notable past discounts included games like Baldur's Gate 3, Starfield, Diablo 4, and Resident Evil 4 Remake. The sale may include titles such as The Long Dark, Sifu, Witchfire, and many others, with discounts potentially reaching up to 95%. Steam Deck owners will also find compatible games on sale.

BetaBeacon

March 2, 2025

‘Dredge’ Review (Android, iOS): 2025’s Best Mobile Game (So Far)

Dredge is a mobile game that puts players in the role of a fisherman in the town of Greater Marrow. During the day, players fish and upgrade their boat, while at night Lovecraftian horrors emerge. The game balances peaceful fishing mechanics with creeping dread, enhanced by a fear system and time-based resource management. The mobile port of Dredge runs smoothly on devices like the Google Pixel 7a, with intuitive controls. The game is praised for its deep experience and unsettling atmosphere, making it worth the price on the Apple and Google Play stores.

AppWizard

February 25, 2025

Balatro finally escapes its silly 18+ age rating, PEGI promises ‘a more granular set of classification criteria’ for gambling-themed games in the future

The Pan European Game Information (PEGI) organization has reclassified the indie card game Balatro from PEGI 18 to PEGI 12 after an appeal by its publisher, Sold Out Sales and Marketing. The change was based on the game's fantastical elements that mitigate its connection to gambling. Initially, Balatro was scrutinized for teaching skills related to poker, but the developer LocalThunk criticized the inconsistency in ratings compared to other games with actual gambling mechanics. In addition to the new rating, Balatro has launched a free crossover pack called Friends of Jimbo and is now available on Xbox Game Pass without in-game purchases. LocalThunk expressed optimism about PEGI's decision, hoping it would lead to more nuanced ratings in the future.

AppWizard

February 23, 2025

This week’s hot PC gaming Steam deals Feb. 16-22

Steam is currently offering a variety of deals on PC games, including a sale on SEGA's Sonic franchise with discounts of up to 75% on titles such as Sonic Mania, Team Sonic Racing, and Sonic Frontiers. The Sonic sale ends on February 27, 2025. Additional indie games on sale include Tape to Tape, Spiritfarer: Farewell Edition, and Untitled Goose Game, with discounts ranging from 10% to 85%. Other notable games available at discounted prices include Noita, Hitman: World of Assassination, and Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, with discounts up to 85%.

BetaBeacon

February 16, 2025

This $80 Game Boy clone is my perfect everyday carry handheld console for retro gaming goodness

The TrimUI Brick is a small, light, and affordable gaming handheld ideal for classic retro gaming on the go.

AppWizard

February 11, 2025

15 indie PC games that will make you forget about AAA titles

- Hades is a roguelike dungeon crawler from Supergiant Games that combines action and storytelling. - Stardew Valley is a farming simulation game featuring pixel art and a soothing soundtrack, allowing players to manage a farm and build relationships. - Neon White is a fast-paced game that mixes first-person shooting and platforming, utilizing cards for moves and featuring vibrant art. - The Long Dark is a survival game set in a post-apocalyptic wilderness, focusing on resource management and strategic decision-making. - Sifu is a martial arts game with an aging mechanic that adds strategy to skill development and combat. - Slay the Spire combines deck-building with roguelike elements, offering easy-to-learn mechanics and challenging gameplay. - Undertale is an RPG known for its unique storytelling and player interaction, featuring quirky characters and memorable dialogue. - Hollow Knight is a Metroidvania game with hand-drawn art, intricate world design, and challenging gameplay that rewards exploration. - Celeste is a platformer that addresses mental health themes while providing challenging gameplay and beautiful pixel art. - Tunic is an adventure game inspired by classic titles, encouraging exploration in a mysterious world filled with secrets. - 1000xResist features a thought-provoking narrative, though its gameplay may not be as polished as others. - Balatro is a humor-infused strategy game developed by a solo creator, known for its addictive gameplay. - Pacific Drive is a driving adventure game set in the Olympic Exclusion Zone, combining exploration with survival elements. - Cocoon is a puzzle game with innovative design and intuitive gameplay, set in beautifully crafted worlds. - Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a horror game that emphasizes atmosphere and psychological tension, redefining the genre.