There’s a handful of games out there that have become so common that you’d likely be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t tried them at least once. Most of us have matched three tiles, or snapped a card, or flipped cards over to find a pair. Developers know these tried-and-true mechanics, but introducing a fresh twist on these classics can be risky business. Take the Match Three craze, for example. There was a game, Jewel Quest, that enjoyed a few sequels, and I remember it fondly because I played them all. They were enjoyable, but then it seemed every mobile developer decided to ride that wave, saturating the market until it hurt the genre. This brings us to the game we’re discussing today, which finds itself treading a similar line. Luckily, the developers behind this game have taken the “Pairs” concept and spun it into something unique enough that I’m optimistic for its success. Today’s game, Pairs and Perils, looks like it deserves our attention.
Pairs and Perils is crafted by the creative team at Little Horror Studios and comes to us via Rogue Duck Interactive. You can find it on PC through Steam. As a roguelike, it’s already doing something different by leaning on our memory over reflexes—a move that piques my interest since roguelikes typically don’t emphasize mental recall as much.
The premise of Pairs and Perils is straightforward on the surface. You need to remember the position of heroes and weapons, matching them to unleash combined powers. Yet, as with most games, the seemingly simple mechanics give way to unexpected challenges that keep things lively.
Your adventure in Pairs and Perils promises heroics tempered with hazards. Make a mistake in remembering where certain cards are, and you could find yourself in a precarious spot. Enemies sport their own timers for attacks, so incorrect matches could escalate the peril quickly. Speaking of foes, they come equipped with unique abilities that can rob you of your precious loot or summon nightmarish hordes. These challenges aren’t just obstacles; they’re a call to use your strategic prowess to outwit the game.
As with many games in this genre, your wits will only get you so far in Pairs and Perils. To truly uncover the most potent card combinations, you’ll need to visit the shop for upgrades to enhance your deck. It’s also wise to concoct strategies for safeguarding your valuable cards against thieving monsters.
Being a roguelike ensures no two playthroughs in Pairs and Perils are alike. Every journey begins with a fresh mix of heroes, enemies, and items, constantly keeping you on your toes and inviting you to discover new surprises. Naturally, this format introduces a steep challenge that intensifies the further you travel into the game. Encounters with more powerful bosses lie in wait, ready to end your journey if you’re not careful.
From my perspective, Pairs and Perils hits the right notes. It’s a game that breathes new life into familiar mechanics, and as a die-hard fan of roguelikes, I’m eager to dive in and explore its depths. If you’re curious, it’s available on Steam now—I suspect I’ll have more to say about it in the not-too-distant future.
