REVIEW / Pairs & Perils (PC Game)

Gimmicks can be a double-edged sword for game developers. There are times when a fresh mechanic spawns a remarkable game, but more often than not, designers get so engrossed in polishing this unique concept that other aspects of the game end up feeling neglected. Today, we’re diving into Pairs & Perils, a PC game that, while enjoyable, serves as a textbook example of this phenomenon.

On its surface, Pairs & Perils presents itself as a straightforward matching game. You step into a dungeon, facing a randomly generated array of enemies, each boasting unique abilities. The gameplay involves a card board where successful matches trigger your party’s attacks and unleash spells. However, matching incorrectly boosts your opponent’s turn timer, resulting in an enemy counter-attack when it reaches zero. As a concept, it’s solid and enjoyable, and my critique isn’t about these mechanics per se, at least the foundational ones.

Pairs & Perils positions itself within the roguelite genre, a favorite of mine, which probably makes me more critical. Having played countless games in this genre, one distinct challenge these games face is the need to be more than just their mechanics. A significant drawback for Pairs & Perils is its lack of a coherent story – an element essential for drawing players into the game.

Unlike fast-paced arcade shooters that can skate by with minimal storytelling due to their rapid action-centric gameplay, roguelites are often strategic journeys that demand some narrative context. They usually involve quests or objectives where understanding the ‘why’ enhances player engagement. Unfortunately, Pairs & Perils drops the ball in this regard.

On starting the game, I expected at least a brief introduction to my character and some insight into the dungeon’s mysteries. Instead, it felt like a déjà vu of maps from other roguelites, thrusting me into gameplay without narrative guidance. Without a storyline to unravel or a character to invest in, continuing the game feels goal-less and reduces my long-term engagement.

Aside from the narrative gap, the game’s flow hits a snag, particularly with its card-flipping mechanic. The brief window to memorize cards before they flip back is just a hair too short, making higher-level play trickier than it needs to be. As the board gets populated with more cards, and the number of traps increases, remembering what’s what becomes virtually impossible, creating unnecessary frustration.

Victory introduces new cards and a tiny window to memorize them, fostering a cyclical focus on only the newest additions. This approach diminishes strategic depth, like playing chess but only remembering the last few moves. Furthermore, the game’s strategic potential is undermined by its core memory-based mechanics. Keeping tabs on what the enemy might do or planning card sequences becomes secondary, as your primary focus remains juggling memory tasks.

Mechanically, Pairs & Perils is sound, with typical features expected of a roguelite deck-builder retained. Unlocking and upgrading characters and cards remains a satisfying loop, and graphically, it’s what you would expect for this genre — functional yet unimpressive.

In the end, Pairs & Perils offers an intriguing gimmick but struggles to elevate itself within the saturated roguelite landscape. It’s great in brief spurts, but its lack of polish, particularly in terms of story and strategy integration, makes it hard to recommend over more robust titles. It is a game with potential but remains a ‘good’ experience rather than a ‘great’ one. However, with a few tweaks, it could truly shine.

If the developers could patch in some narrative depth and refine the mechanics for a better balance, I could see Pairs & Perils becoming a noteworthy game worth your time. For now, while it might not be a waste of money to try, there are likely better options available if you’re browsing around for a new game to dive into. This review was crafted using 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 Score: 6.5/10

Conclusion: Pairs & Perils presents a fun concept but suffers from some execution issues. The absence of a story and certain mechanics that need fine-tuning hinder what could have been an outstanding game, positioning it comfortably in the ‘good but not great’ category for now. A few updates could certainly improve my perception of this title.