"Balatro: The Ultimate Poker Fix and Endless Mode Triumph"

Balatro, a new poker roguelike game from developer LocalThunk, introduces mechanics that allow players to cheat the game's base play, making it easier to accrue chips and achieve high-scoring hands. This sub-genre of indie games seeks to address the inherent money-sink structure of traditional gambling games by introducing mechanics that substitute planning, strategy, and brokenness for luck. Balatro offers both the pleasure of the game itself and the meta-joy of beating the system, making it an early contender for the best new roguelike of the year.