Gimmicks can be a slippery slope in game design. They can elevate a concept into something extraordinary, but starting with a gimmick often leads developers to focus so much on that one idea that everything else takes a backseat. This isn’t too ideal, especially in game design, where balance is everything. The game I’m diving into today, Pairs & Perils, is a great showcase of this phenomenon.
Pairs & Perils, at first glance, appears to be a straightforward matching game. The setup is simple: you enter a dungeon, encounter a variety of foes, each with unique abilities, and use a board of cards to match your way through challenges. Correct matches trigger attacks and unleash spells or abilities from your party, whereas incorrect matches speed up your opponent’s attack timer. It’s a fun premise, and the matching mechanic itself is solid, but there’s more to critique beyond the basic gameplay.
Now, Pairs & Perils is a roguelite, a genre I’m deeply immersed in, which perhaps makes me a bit more critical. Roguelites often walk a fine line between captivating and forgettable, largely depending on elements beyond mere mechanics—like the narrative. And sadly, this game skimped on that front.
Some genres, like arcade and shooters, can succeed with a minimal storyline. They thrive on action, and too much plot can sometimes be a distraction. However, roguelites, with their strategic undercurrent, typically benefit from a narrative hook. Players want to understand why they’re embarking on a quest; a backdrop, no matter how minimal, offers purpose. Pairs & Perils, vexingly, lacks this entirely.
When I first launched Pairs & Perils, I anticipated some form of orientation—perhaps a brief introduction to the character or a narrative to explain the dungeon delve. Instead, I was tossed directly into gameplay, similar to many other roguelites, but without any story guidance. Without a narrative to drive me, I found my interest in continuing the game waned despite its engaging mechanics.
Another issue lies in the game’s pace. Upon dealing the cards, players are given a short window to memorize them before they flip. This time feels insufficient, particularly as the board grows. Early on, with fewer cards, it’s manageable, but later, anticipation and strategy suffer when memorizing becomes increasingly challenging. Trap cards add complexity, demanding more attention and memory capacity, complicating the card game rhythm further.
Matching enough cards leads to new cards being added, again with a brief memory period. This flow creates an odd cycle where only newly revealed pairs are imprinted in memory, sidelining older strategies. This limitation essentially dilutes the strategy element, crucial in roguelites.
The strategic depth is further muddled when considering enemy interactions. For strategy games, anticipating moves and counterstrategies is vital. However, with most attention funnelled into the memory game, checking enemy intentions or planning steps often slips, throwing the cool battle mechanics to the wayside. This oversight isn’t entirely the game’s fault—it’s an inherent limitation of the core memory task.
Despite these hiccups, the game’s mechanics are well-executed. The matching works, character, and card upgrades are present as you progress, and graphically, it suits its genre. But while it checks many boxes, it doesn’t stand out amidst a saturated market.
Ultimately, Pairs & Perils is a roguelite deck-builder with an intriguing twist. Yet, that alone doesn’t suffice when the gimmick introduces these overarching issues. It’s great for short play sessions and comes at a decent price, but it needs a more polished feel to make it truly noteworthy. If future updates address the story gap and refine the mechanics, it has potential for greatness. Right now, it’s a decent attempt that doesn’t quite demand a spot on the gaming must-play list.
For those eager to try it, you won’t waste your time or money, but you might find more rewarding choices elsewhere if you’re window-shopping in the roguelite genre.
This review is based on a retail copy of the game provided by the developer.
Review Scores:
- Look and feel: 7/10
- Challenge: 7/10
- Replayability: 6/10
- Value for money: 6/10
Overall: 6.5/10
Pairs & Perils has a fun core mechanic, but the current execution doesn’t quite hit the mark. While there are enjoyable aspects, an equal number of issues hold it back. The absence of a story and some underdeveloped mechanics make what’s potentially a great game merely an okay one. Some updates could change my mind, but as of now, it sits in the "good but not great" category.
