Choose Talespinner
Choose Talespinner if you want a RPG game with DualShock Controller Support, Save Anytime, and #category_playable_at_your_own_pace. Talespinner launched in 2026.
Talespinner vs Balatro
Talespinner and Balatro both land in Strategy, Indie on Steam, which is why they keep getting compared. The comparison below is built from each game's Steam metadata — release year, genres, categories, Steam Deck status, price, and review score — refreshed daily by imho.run's scraper. Headline differences: Both share Strategy, Indie on Steam. Balatro (2024) is 2 years older than Talespinner (2026). Balatro scores higher on Steam reviews (98.1% positive) than Talespinner (72.7% positive). No login or purchase needed — scroll for the full table, the verdict FAQ, and links to ranked similar games for both titles.
Which should you pick?
Choose Balatro
Choose Balatro if you want a Casual game with Color Alternatives and Touch Only Option. 99,852 Steam reviews back the pick.
Both Talespinner and Balatro sit in Strategy and Indie on Steam and both list Custom Volume Controls, Playable without Timed Input, and Mouse Only Option, so either pick lands in the same broad neighborhood. Use the side-by-side table for the feature view, or follow the "Games like" links below to see ranked alternatives for either title.
Side-by-side comparison
 Talespinner |  Balatro | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2026 | 2024 |
| Genres | Strategy, Indie, RPG | Strategy, Indie, Casual |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows, macOS |
| Steam Deck | Deck Verified | Deck Verified |
| Price | 14.99 USD | 14.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 72.7% positive (55 reviews) | 98.1% positive (99,852 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | Flash Cat Games | LocalThunk |
Side by side
- Both share Strategy, Indie on Steam.
- Balatro (2024) is 2 years older than Talespinner (2026).
- Balatro scores higher on Steam reviews (98.1% positive) than Talespinner (72.7% positive).
- Balatro is currently ~0% cheaper on Steam than Talespinner (14.99 USD vs. 14.99 USD).
- Both are Deck Verified.
Talespinner vs Balatro — FAQ
- Should I play Talespinner or Balatro first?
- If you want chronology, Balatro (2024) came out before Talespinner (2026). If neither is a sequel to the other, order doesn't really matter — start with whichever fits your current mood, since both share enough on Steam to make either a reasonable opener.
- Are Talespinner and Balatro similar?
- They overlap on Strategy, Indie on Steam, so the catalogue groups them together — but "similar" depends on the specific mechanics. Use the genre + category rows above to decide whether the overlap matches what drew you to the one you've already played.
- Do Talespinner and Balatro both run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — both are Steam Deck Verified, meaning Valve confirms they run with full controller support, legible text, and default settings out of the box.