There are certain games that have become so widespread, it’s hard to believe if someone claims they’ve never tried them. Think about it: we’ve all tackled matching three tiles, snapped a card in frustration, or flipped over two cards hoping for a match in a grid. Developers need to tread carefully when they use these familiar elements in creating a new game. Remember the Match Three sensation? Back in the day, there was a game called Jewel Quest that spawned sequels and played beautifully. Although Jewel Quest might not be the first of its kind, it’s certainly memorable. I spent countless hours on them and loved every moment. Then, almost every mobile game developer jumped on the bandwagon, cloning that mechanic, exemplifying why over-saturation can suffocate new game variations even before they gain ground. You might be asking why I’m bringing this up in the context of today’s featured game. Well, today’s title fits right into that narrative. Luckily, the developers are taking a concept as simple as Pairs and giving it a twist that I hope will earn it a second look. Today’s game on the docket, Pairs and Perils, definitely deserves a closer examination.
Pairs and Perils is a roguelike offering from the imaginative folks at Little Horror Studios, produced by Rogue Duck Interactive. It’s available now for the PC on Steam, and it stands out by encouraging players to use their memory over reflexes. For a game in the roguelike category, this unique requirement immediately grabbed my attention. You see, roguelikes typically don’t prioritize brain power, so this is a refreshing change.
The premise of Pairs and Perils is quite straightforward. You’re tasked with remembering the locations of heroes and weapons to successfully pair their abilities. As is common, though, don’t expect it to be that simple—there are bound to be unexpected elements along the way to keep you on your toes.
Upon diving into Pairs and Perils, you’ll find yourself amidst courageous exploits and hidden dangers. Forgetting which cards match can lead you straight into trouble. Enemies each have their own attack counters, and every wrong pair increases your peril. And speaking of foes, they’re not just decorative hazards—they bring their own set of challenges. From stealing your precious gold and items to summoning a horde of skeletons, these adversaries will test your strategic prowess.
As with many such games, flexing your mental muscle in Pairs and Perils will only get you so far. Figuring out the best card combos requires you to spruce up your deck with upgrades from the shop. You’ll also need to be cunning in guarding your valuable cards from malicious monsters out to swipe them from you.
Now, let’s not forget that Pairs and Perils is a roguelike—which means each playthrough is unique. With heroes, enemies, and items randomly generated, every run feels fresh, presenting new thrills and surprises. True to roguelike tradition, the difficulty will increase as you progress. Encounters will become more intense, and formidable bosses await to check your determination.
Pairs and Perils seems like it’s going to be just my kind of game. It takes time-honored mechanics and morphs them into something delightfully unexpected. As a massive fan of roguelikes, I’m particularly eager to jump in and see what this adventure has in store. You can already get Pairs and Perils on Steam, and I suspect I’ll have more insights to share about it soon enough.
