Review: Pairs & Perils (PC)

Gimmicks can be both a blessing and a curse. While fresh mechanics often lay the foundation for some of the most innovative gameplay, when developers get too fixated on a single novel idea, they risk neglecting other crucial gameplay elements. Such tunnel vision in game design can spell trouble. Take the PC game Pairs & Perils, for instance. It’s certainly enjoyable, but it’s a classic case of a great concept that doesn’t quite hit the mark across the board.

At its core, Pairs & Perils is a straightforward matching game. Players find themselves in a dungeon, facing off against random foes, each wielding unique abilities. The objective is to match cards correctly to launch attacks or trigger spells from your party’s diverse classes. Get it wrong, and your opponent’s turn timer ticks down, eventually leading to them launching their own attacks. This premise, simple as it is, works well on its own. Amidst this, however, is where my criticisms start—a disconnect not with the core mechanics, but with the game’s overall execution.

Pairs & Perils is a roguelite, one of my favorite genres, so perhaps I’m judging it more critically than I might others. I’ve played a lot of roguelites, and they tend to either excel or miss the mark with very little middle ground. The main issue Pairs & Perils faces is the absence of a compelling narrative.

Genres like arcade games and shooters can survive on limited storytelling because they prioritize action. But stratege-laden roguelites call for, at the very least, an engaging narrative hook. You need to understand the context for your quest. Unfortunately, Pairs & Perils offers none of that. From the moment I started, I had no backstory, no character introduction, and no context for diving into danger. It’s easy to dismiss this as irrelevant, but I argue narrative depth keeps players invested and wanting more. This lack of story doesn’t just make it hard to stick with the game; it diminishes its potential for sustained engagement.

Moving on from the narrative, let’s talk about the gameplay flow. When the cards are dealt, you have a scant few seconds to memorize them before they flip, which often isn’t enough time. As the game progresses and the board becomes packed with cards, that brief window for memorization becomes frustratingly inadequate. Moreover, you’re trying to remember your own cards amid trap cards that hurt you if flipped over. This not only complicates the gameplay but also detracts from the enjoyment.

After successfully matching pairs, new cards are introduced, typically identifiable more easily due to their freshness. This led me to a memorization pattern centered around new cards only. Consequently, a key strategic component was lost because your focus shifts solely to these new pairs, sidelining the overall strategic depth.

Moreover, understanding and predicting how card matches would affect opponents is crucial for strategic foresight. But with Pairs & Perils, the emphasis on memorizing cards detracts from broader strategic planning. You get so caught up in card-flipping that significant battle strategies become secondary. The focus shifts away from combat mechanics, which otherwise could be an excellent feature if not overshadowed by the main gameplay loop.

Despite these issues, Pairs & Perils nails its core mechanics. The matching system works, and you’ll find familiar elements of roguelite deck-builders, like unlocking new cards and characters that you can upgrade. The controls are solid, and the graphics hold their own for this style of game.

In conclusion, Pairs & Perils is a servicable roguelite card game with an innovative central gimmick. However, this key element isn’t quite enough to make the game stand out significantly, especially with the issues born from its execution. It’s a game that holds its own in short gaming sessions and comes at a fair price point, but I’d appreciate paying a bit more for a more polished experience. Although Pairs & Perils entertains with some clever ideas, it doesn’t quite reach its potential to earn a strong recommendation over its genre peers.

If the developers invest in enhancing the story and fine-tune its mechanics, Pairs & Perils could ascend to must-play status. As of now, it’s enjoyable but doesn’t make a lasting impression in an already crowded genre. While it won’t feel like money wasted for those eager to try it, there are undoubtedly stronger alternatives out there.

Just a heads-up—this review is based on a retail copy of the game provided by the publisher. Here’s the verdict:

• Look and feel: 7/10
• Challenge: 7/10
• Replayability: 6/10
• Value for money: 6/10
• Overall score: 6.5/10

The core of Pairs & Perils is solid yet suffers from execution lapses. The lack of a story and the mechanics that need more polish make this a game that stands at good, but not great. With a few updates, my outlook on this title could shift, but as it is, it occupies a space in gaming that’s more forgettable than memorable.