Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Balatro (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Balatro on things players said about it rather than on our opinion of what feels alike. Each entry shows what it matched on, so you can throw out the ones matching on the part you did not care about.
The short version
- Closest match: Slay the Spire, which both strategy, relaxing and difficult.
- Balatro is tagged Card Game, Roguelike Deckbuilder, Rogue-like, Deckbuilding, Singleplayer, Strategy, Pixel Graphics, Replay Value by Steam players. Those tags are what the matching runs on.
- 24 games qualify, each with at least fifty player reviews behind its sentiment figure.
- 2 are free to download, so you can test the resemblance yourself at no cost.
How these were matched
Steam tags carry the most weight, because players apply them and they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Souls-like, Atmospheric and Cozy exist as tags and as nothing else, which is exactly the vocabulary this question needs. Formal genres count for less, themes and a shared studio for more.
Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are thrown out before matching. Nearly everything is tagged Singleplayer, so matching on it is matching on nothing. That cutoff is computed from the catalogue rather than fixed, so it moves as the catalogue grows.
All 24, closest first
- 1
Slay the Spire
Why it matched: both strategy, relaxing and difficult; shares 14 player tags including Roguelike Deckbuilder, Card Game and Card Battler.
We fused card games and roguelikes together to make the best single player deckbuilder we could. Craft a unique deck, encounter bizarre creatures, discover relics of immense power, and Slay the Spire!
Slay the Spire at a glance Released 2019 Studio Mega Crit Player sentiment 97% positive of 217,947 Price $24.99 Roguelike DeckbuilderCard GameCard BattlerRogue-likeDeckbuildingTurn-BasedStrategyRogue-lite
- 2
Backpack Hero
Why it matched: both story-rich, strategy and relaxing; shares 13 player tags including Replay Value, Turn-Based and Roguelike Deckbuilder; released around the same time (2023).
The inventory management roguelike! Collect rare items, organize your backpack, and vanquish your foes!
Backpack Hero at a glance Released 2023 Studio Jaspel Player sentiment 86% positive of 8,500 Price $9.99 Replay ValueTurn-BasedRoguelike DeckbuilderDeckbuilding2DRogue-likeStrategyChoices Matter
- 3
Monster Train
Why it matched: both story-rich, strategy and difficult; shares 11 player tags including Card Battler, Rogue-lite and Card Game; released around the same time (2020).
Monster Train is a strategic roguelike deck building game with a twist. Set on a train to hell, you’ll use tactical decision making to defend multiple vertical battlegrounds. With real time competitive multiplayer and endless replayability, Monster Train is always on time.
Monster Train at a glance Released 2020 Studio Shiny Shoe Player sentiment 96% positive of 22,925 Price $24.99 Card BattlerRogue-liteCard GameDeckbuildingRogue-likeTurn-Based StrategyStrategyDifficult
- 4
Across the Obelisk
Why it matched: both strategy and difficult; shares 11 player tags including Rogue-like, Strategy and 2D; released around the same time (2022).
Set forth in a co-op roguelite deckbuilder where every choice matters! Craft decks of breathtaking power. Journey alone or with up to three friends. Plot your party’s path to glory and face powerful enemies in deep tactical combat on your quest to save the kingdom of Senenthia in Across the Obelisk!
Across the Obelisk at a glance Released 2022 Studio Dreamsite Games Player sentiment 80% positive of 13,086 Price $19.99 Rogue-likeStrategy2DRoguelike DeckbuilderCard GameCard BattlerDeckbuildingTurn-Based
- 5
The Legend of Bum-Bo
Why it matched: both strategy, relaxing and difficult; shares 10 player tags including Rogue-lite, Indie and Strategy.
A puzzle based deck building rogue-like prequel to The Binding of Isaac... Made of cardboard!
The Legend of Bum-Bo at a glance Released 2019 Studio Edmund McMillen Player sentiment 81% positive of 5,934 Price $14.99 Rogue-liteIndieStrategyDifficultCasualCard GameDeckbuildingTurn-Based
- 6
Library Of Ruina
Why it matched: both story-rich, strategy and difficult; shares 9 player tags including Card Game, Strategy and Difficult; released around the same time (2021).
"May you find your book in this place." Combat between the guests and the librarians breaks out as if it were on a stage. Defeated guests turn into books, and the Library grows onward. And eventually, get your hands on… The one singular, perfect book.
Library Of Ruina at a glance Released 2021 Studio ProjectMoon Player sentiment 94% positive of 44,826 Price $29.99 Card GameStrategyDifficultDeckbuildingIndieTurn-BasedCard BattlerTurn-Based Strategy
- 7
Papers, Please
Why it matched: both story-rich, strategy, relaxing and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Indie, Pixel Graphics and 2D.
Congratulations. The October labor lottery is complete. Your name was pulled. For immediate placement, report to the Ministry of Admission at Grestin Border Checkpoint. An apartment will be provided for you and your family in East Grestin. Expect a Class-8 dwelling.
Papers, Please at a glance Released 2013 Studio Lucas Pope Player sentiment 97% positive of 80,337 Price $9.99 IndiePixel Graphics2DStrategyReplay ValueCasualDifficult
- 8
Invisible, Inc.
Why it matched: both story-rich, strategy and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Difficult, Strategy and Rogue-lite.
Take control of Invisible's agents in the field and infiltrate the world's most dangerous corporations. Stealth, precision, and teamwork are essential in high-stakes, high-profit missions, where every move may cost an agent their life.
Invisible, Inc. at a glance Released 2015 Studio Klei Entertainment Player sentiment 91% positive of 5,778 Price $19.99 DifficultStrategyRogue-liteTurn-BasedRogue-likeProcedural GenerationChoices MatterTurn-Based Strategy
- 9
Stoneshard
Why it matched: both strategy and difficult; shares 9 player tags including Rogue-like, Strategy and Pixel Graphics; released around the same time (2020).
Stoneshard is a hardcore turn-based RPG about the harsh life of a medieval mercenary: travel with your own caravan, descend into procedurally generated dungeons, learn new skills, survive hunger and injuries - and remember, every mistake can mean death and loss of progress.
Stoneshard at a glance Released 2020 Studio Ink Stains Games Player sentiment 75% positive of 35,515 Price $24.99 Rogue-likeStrategyPixel GraphicsTurn-BasedProcedural Generation2DIndieDifficult
- 10
Artifact
Why it matched: both strategy, relaxing and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Card Battler, Deckbuilding and Card Game.
Artifact now features two games: Artifact Classic, the original Dota 2 trading card game, and Artifact Foundry, a special edition with streamlined gameplay, new cards, new single-player content, and an improved new player experience.
Artifact at a glance Released 2018 Studio Valve Player sentiment 47% positive of 24,768 Price Free Card BattlerDeckbuildingCard GameStrategyTurn-Based StrategyDifficultCasualTurn-Based
- 11
GWENT: The Witcher Card Game
Why it matched: both strategy, relaxing and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Card Game and Deckbuilding; released around the same time (2020).
Command mighty Witcher-world heroes in epic online PvP card battles!
GWENT: The Witcher Card Game at a glance Released 2020 Studio CD PROJEKT RED Player sentiment 86% positive of 27,710 Price Free StrategyCard GameDeckbuildingTurn-BasedCard BattlerDifficultCasual
- 12
Dungeon of the ENDLESS
Why it matched: both strategy and difficult; shares 9 player tags including Rogue-like, Strategy and Pixel Graphics.
Dungeon of the ENDLESS™ is a Rogue-Like Dungeon-Defense game, in which the player and their team of heroes must protect the generator of their crashed ship while exploring an ever-expanding dungeon, all while facing waves of monsters and special events as they try to find their way out...
Dungeon of the ENDLESS at a glance Released 2014 Studio AMPLITUDE Studios Player sentiment 85% positive of 14,040 Price $11.99 Rogue-likeStrategyPixel GraphicsIndieProcedural GenerationDifficultRogue-liteReplay Value
- 13
Inscryption
Why it matched: both story-rich and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Card Battler, Card Game and Deckbuilding; released around the same time (2021).
Inscryption is an inky black card-based odyssey that blends the deckbuilding roguelike, escape-room style puzzles, and psychological horror into a blood-laced smoothie. Darker still are the secrets inscrybed upon the cards...
Inscryption at a glance Released 2021 Studio Daniel Mullins Games Player sentiment 97% positive of 148,199 Price $19.99 Card BattlerCard GameDeckbuildingRogue-liteStrategyRogue-like2DPixel Graphics
- 14
Loop Hero
Why it matched: both story-rich and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Rogue-like, Pixel Graphics and Deckbuilding; released around the same time (2021).
The Lich has thrown the world into a timeless loop and plunged its inhabitants into never ending chaos. Wield an expanding deck of mystical cards to place enemies, buildings, and terrain along each unique expedition loop for the brave hero.
Loop Hero at a glance Released 2021 Studio Four Quarters Player sentiment 93% positive of 36,517 Price $14.99 Rogue-likePixel GraphicsDeckbuildingRogue-liteChoices MatterIndieCard Game2D
- 15
Zuma
Why it matched: both strategy, relaxing and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Arcade, 2D and Strategy.
Deep in the jungle lie hidden temples bursting with traps and trickery, and it's up to you to uncover their treasures. Fire magical balls from your stone frog idol to make matches of three or more and clear the deadly chain before it reaches the golden skull.
Zuma at a glance Released 2003 Studio Oberon Media Player sentiment 96% positive of 6,806 Price $4.99 Arcade2DStrategyCasualReplay ValueIndieDifficult
- 16
Mini Metro
Why it matched: both strategy, relaxing and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Indie and Casual.
Mini Metro is a strategy simulation game about designing a subway map for a growing city. Draw lines between stations and start your trains running. As new stations open, redraw your lines to keep them efficient. Decide where to use your limited resources. How long can you keep the city moving?
Mini Metro at a glance Released 2015 Studio Dinosaur Polo Club Player sentiment 96% positive of 16,729 Price $9.99 StrategyIndieCasualRelaxing2DDifficultReplay Value
- 17
Iratus: Lord of the Dead
Why it matched: both strategy and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, Indie and Rogue-like; released around the same time (2020).
Iratus: Lord of the Dead is a turn-based tactical roguelike RPG set in a dark fantasy universe. Lead an army of undead to help an angry necromancer in his quest to reach the surface world and bring death to the mortal realms!
Iratus: Lord of the Dead at a glance Released 2020 Studio Unfrozen Player sentiment 86% positive of 8,251 Price $2.99 StrategyIndieRogue-likeRogue-liteTurn-Based2DDifficultReplay Value
- 18
100% Orange Juice
Why it matched: both strategy, relaxing and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Card Game and Turn-Based.
100% Orange Juice is a digital multiplayer board game populated by developer Orange Juice's all-star cast. Characters from Flying Red Barrel, QP Shooting, Suguri and Sora come together with all-new characters to duke it out... with dice.
100% Orange Juice at a glance Released 2014 Studio Orange_Juice Player sentiment 91% positive of 30,159 Price $6.99 StrategyCard GameTurn-BasedIndieCasual2DDifficult
- 19
FTL: Faster Than Light
Why it matched: both strategy and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Rogue-like, Strategy and Indie.
This "spaceship simulation roguelike-like" allows you to take your ship and crew on an adventure through a randomly generated galaxy filled with glory and bitter defeat.
FTL: Faster Than Light at a glance Released 2012 Studio Subset Games Player sentiment 95% positive of 78,616 Price $9.99 Rogue-likeStrategyIndieDifficultReplay ValueProcedural Generation2DRogue-lite
- 20
World of Goo
Why it matched: both story-rich, strategy, relaxing and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Indie, Casual and 2D.
World of Goo is a multiple award winning physics based puzzle / construction game made entirely by two guys.
World of Goo at a glance Released 2008 Studio 2D Boy Player sentiment 94% positive of 6,589 Price $14.99 IndieCasual2DDifficultStrategy
- 21
Braid
Why it matched: both story-rich, strategy, relaxing and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Indie, 2D and Difficult.
This is the original version of Braid from 2009, which may not work well on newer systems. For an updated version of the game with nicer graphics, more levels and a large amount of developer commentary, see Braid, Anniversary Edition.
Braid at a glance Released 2008 Studio Jonathan Blow Player sentiment 93% positive of 9,957 Price $14.99 Indie2DDifficultCasualStrategy
- 22
Vampire Survivors
Why it matched: both relaxing and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Pixel Graphics, Rogue-lite and 2D; released around the same time (2022).
Mow down thousands of night creatures and survive until dawn! Vampire Survivors is a gothic horror casual game with rogue-lite elements, where your choices can allow you to quickly snowball against the hundreds of monsters that get thrown at you. Be the bullet hell!
Vampire Survivors at a glance Released 2022 Studio poncle Player sentiment 98% positive of 265,103 Price $3.74 Pixel GraphicsRogue-lite2DIndieCasualArcadeRogue-like
- 23
Wildermyth
Why it matched: both story-rich and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Choices Matter, Procedural Generation and Rogue-lite; released around the same time (2021).
Wildermyth follows heroes over their whole careers, from their pitchfork days to their powerful primes, and on into old age and memory. It’s a party-based procedural storytelling RPG where tactical combat and story decisions will alter your world and reshape your cast of characters.
Wildermyth at a glance Released 2021 Studio Worldwalker Games LLC Player sentiment 95% positive of 18,232 Price $24.99 Choices MatterProcedural GenerationRogue-liteTurn-Based StrategyTurn-BasedIndieStrategy
- 24
Peggle
Why it matched: both strategy, relaxing and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Casual, Arcade and 2D.
Take your best shot with energizing arcade fun! Aim, shoot, clear the orange pegs, then sit back and cheer as 10 whimsical teachers guide you to Peggle greatness.
Peggle at a glance Released 2007 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 98% positive of 14,434 Price $4.99 CasualArcade2DStrategyDifficultRelaxing
Common questions
What game is most like Balatro?
Slay the Spire, on the evidence we have. It both strategy, relaxing and difficult. That is a statement about overlap, not a promise you will like it as much: two games can share every tag and still feel different to play.
How is "similar to Balatro" decided?
By overlap on the tags Steam players applied to each game, the formal genres, the themes both sit in, and whether the same studio made them. Tags carry the most weight because players write them, so they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are ignored: matching on "Singleplayer" is matching on nothing. Every entry below shows exactly what it matched on.
Are these ranked by quality?
No. They are ordered by how much they overlap with Balatro. Where two games overlap equally, the better received one goes first, but that only moves a game a place or two. Each entry shows its own player sentiment so you can weigh that separately.
Do you get paid for these recommendations?
No. The order is computed from tag and genre overlap and nothing else. No placement here can be bought, and a game appearing high on this page is a statement about resemblance rather than an endorsement.