There are some games that have become so widespread, it’s hard to imagine anyone not having tried them. We’ve all matched sets of three items, made a quick snap decision, or flipped card after card on a grid, hoping for a perfect match. With such well-trodden mechanics, it’s a gamble for developers to bring something new to the table using these familiar formulas. Remember the Match Three frenzy? Jewel Quest comes to mind—those games were a joy and even spawned a few sequels. There might have been similar games before it, but Jewel Quest is the one I recall the most. I fondly remember working my way through those games. However, once every mobile developer jumped on the bandwagon, cloning the concept, it became a classic case of how overexposure can smother innovation before it gets a chance to breathe. So, if you’re scratching your head, wondering where this is all leading, it’s relevant to today’s topic. Luckily, the developers of our featured game have taken the Pairs concept and crafted something distinct, making it worth some serious attention. The game we’re diving into today is Pairs and Perils, and it promises to offer depth worth exploring.
Pairs and Perils is a roguelike endeavor created by the skillful team at Little Horror Studios and published by Rogue Duck Interactive. Accessible now on Steam for PC, it’s a game that challenges players to use their memory more than their reflexes. This approach is a refreshing change for the roguelike genre, which typically relies on quick thinking and fast actions.
At its core, Pairs and Perils is delightfully simple: you match heroes and weapons by memorizing their locations, and by doing so, you can merge their abilities for a strategic edge. However, as is often the case, expect the game to throw in a few twists to keep you on your toes and the experience fresh.
Embarking on your journey in Pairs and Perils will mean encountering heroes and traps alike. Missteps in your memory can land you into hot water quickly. Your adversaries come with their own attack timers, and every wrong choice ups the ante. These enemies aren’t just mindless obstacles; they have particular powers that can swipe your hard-earned loot or summon skeletal swarms. Not just a nuisance, they’re intent on testing your strategic prowess.
Just as in many games of its kind, your intellect in Pairs and Perils will only get you part of the way to victory. The real progress will involve selecting the right upgrades from the shop to strengthen your deck and devising tactics to safeguard your essential cards from pilfering monsters.
As I touched upon earlier, Pairs and Perils is a roguelike, which means every game is a fresh experience. Each run introduces newly generated heroes, enemies, and items to keep encounters from getting stale. The difficulty inevitably ramps up with your successes, creating a steeper challenge as you go. Alongside these ever-tougher foes, formidable bosses lie in wait, ready to halt your progress.
Pairs and Perils seems like it’s going to be a perfect fit for me, blending well-loved gameplay with innovative elements. I’ve always had a soft spot for roguelikes, which only heightens my anticipation for diving into this game. If you’re interested, you can check out Pairs and Perils on Steam now. Chances are, you’ll hear more from me about this game soon.
