Gimmicks can be a double-edged sword. They can be the spark that ignites an innovative idea, evolving into something truly remarkable. However, leaning too heavily on a novel concept can result in tunnel vision, where the central idea is perfected at the expense of other elements. In game design, this is a precarious approach. Today, we’re diving into "Pairs & Perils." While the game certainly delivers fun, it’s a prime example of the risk I just mentioned.
At first glance, "Pairs & Perils" appears straightforward. It’s a matching game where you explore dungeons and face a randomly generated roster of enemies, each with unique abilities. Your task is to match cards on a board; doing so unleashes attacks from your party’s various classes or activates beneficial spells. But if you match incorrectly, your opponent’s turn counter increases, and reaching zero means they strike back with their abilities. This straightforward premise offers a fun experience in its core mechanics, yet issues arise in other game aspects beyond these fundamentals.
As a lover of roguelite games, I hold "Pairs & Perils" to high standards. In these games, either you hit the mark brilliantly or miss completely, with little middle ground. A key factor often overlooked in these games is the narrative—or sadly, as with "Pairs & Perils," the glaring absence of one.
While arcade games and shooters can get away without much story due to their action-centric design, strategic roguelites and platformers typically engage players more deeply when they offer at least some narrative context. When embarking on a quest, understanding why matters. Granted, you don’t need exhaustive lore, but a compelling hook keeps players coming back. Unfortunately, "Pairs & Perils" doesn’t provide this motivation.
Starting the game, there was no introduction to my character or a hint of the dungeon’s story. I was thrust into a familiar roguelite map without any idea of my objectives or the card-flipping’s significance. Some might argue that none of this matters, but I beg to differ. A storyline offers intrigue and reason to continue playing. "Pairs & Perils," lacking this, struggles to hold attention for extended periods.
Another hang-up is the game’s flow. There’s a brief window to memorize the cards before they flip, but it’s shorter than ideal. During the early game, few cards make this manageable. As the board fills, though, memorization becomes crucial, yet the time constraints amplify the challenge. Moreover, trap cards mixed in with your own demand focus, further complicating your memory task.
Once you match several cards successfully, new ones appear, giving you another chance to memorize them. I ended up focusing solely on the newest pairs for ease. This strategic oversight means you’re not fully leveraging the board, undermining deeper tactical gameplay.
Strategy also suffers from how card impacts on opponents are handled. A strategy game shines when you can plan ahead. Knowing and countering opponent actions are vital. But since "Pairs & Perils" is primarily a memory game, you’re mostly watching the cards, not strategizing. This makes the battle mechanics feel underused. While the need to remember cards isn’t the game’s fault per se, it does simplify what could be a richer gaming experience.
Mechanically, "Pairs & Perils" gets it right. The matching system is solid, and features typical of a roguelite deck-builder—like unlocking and upgrading cards and characters—are present. Controls work well, and the graphics suit the game’s style.
In the end, "Pairs & Perils" offers a roguelite card-collecting experience with a unique twist, but it doesn’t quite rise above competitors due to this gimmick’s unintended drawbacks. While it’s enjoyable in small doses and not pricey, I’d gladly pay more for a more polished and cohesive game. Until improvements are made, "Pairs & Perils" remains just a decent game incorporating creative ideas. Right now, it’s hard to recommend it as a standout choice.
Should the developers address the storytelling and balance issues, "Pairs & Perils" has the potential to be a captivating game. It stands as an entertaining, albeit forgettable entry in an already packed genre. If you’re eager to try it, it’s not a waste of money, but there are better options if you’re browsing through roguelites.
This review is based on a retail copy provided by the publisher.
Review Summary:
- Look and Feel: 7/10
- Challenge: 7/10
- Replayability: 6/10
- Value for Money: 6/10
- Overall: 6.5/10
"Pairs & Perils" has an engaging core mechanic, but its execution isn’t flawless. For every engaging aspect, there’s something lacking. A missing narrative and a few rough mechanics hold back its potential. With updates, it could improve significantly, but currently, it sits in the realm of good, not great, games.
