A recent update has breathed new life into the game Balatro, bringing fresh decks designed around popular franchises such as The Witcher, Vampire Survivors, Dave The Diver, and Among Us. This update comes free of charge and showcases the creativity of LocalThunk, the game's developers.
The free update, titled Balatro: Friends of Jimbo, was announced during the Nintendo Direct IndieWorld Partner Showcase and is now accessible on multiple platforms including PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S.
According to the gameplay trailer, players can expect each new deck to encompass themed cards that draw inspiration from their respective collaborations. For example, the deck based on The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt features card designs reflecting key characters like Geralt of Rivia and Yennefer of Vengerberg. Likewise, the decks inspired by Vampire Survivors, Dave The Diver, and Among Us will likely include elements from those game worlds.
Hints from the development team suggest that fans can look forward to more collaborative content in the future, as there is a teasing note at the end of the trailer that implies additional surprises are on the horizon.
Balatro, which made its debut earlier this year, merges roguelike gameplay with the art of card play, incorporating mechanics reminiscent of poker. It boasts an engaging campaign mode that features eight levels of difficulty, alongside various challenge modes and seeded runs.
Players have the chance to mix legitimate poker hands with special Joker cards, fostering diverse synergies and strategies. They will need to accumulate enough chips to navigate through tricky blinds while exploring hidden bonus hands and decks as they advance. To triumph, players must leverage every advantage possible to confront the boss blind, outsmart the final ante, and achieve success.
This game has quickly climbed the ranks within the Steam community, earning a reputation as one of the most favored titles of 2024, currently holding an "Overwhelming Positive" rating with upwards of 41,140 reviews.