We’ve all played those classic games featuring match-three puzzles, snapping cards, or flipping two cards to find a match. They’re so popular that it’s hard to believe anyone hasn’t tried them. However, developers have to tread carefully when using these well-worn mechanics for new games. Remember the match-three craze? Games like Jewel Quest and its sequels played smoothly and were quite enjoyable, but eventually, the novelty wore off as more developers jumped on the bandwagon. Over-saturation can quickly snuff out any new twists before they even hit the scene. This brings me to a game that’s on our radar today, and I’m hoping it gets the fair chance it deserves. Enter Pairs and Perils, a game that seems promising enough to warrant a closer look.
Pairs and Perils is an intriguing roguelike developed by Little Horror Studios and published by Rogue Duck Interactive. Available on Steam for PC, this game challenges players to rely on their memory rather than just their reflexes—a refreshing twist for the roguelike genre, which often focuses on quick reactions. I’m already intrigued!
The core gameplay mechanics of Pairs and Perils are blissfully simple: remember the locations of heroes and weapons, and then match them to unleash special abilities. However, as is often the case, simplicity is only the starting point. Expect some delightful surprises that spice up the gameplay as you progress.
The adventure within Pairs and Perils is not just about heroic quests—it’s also filled with traps. If you make a wrong match, you edge closer to peril. The enemies in the game operate on their own attack timers, and each mistake makes your journey more treacherous. These foes aren’t pushovers; they boast abilities that range from stealing your precious loot to calling forth hordes of skeletons. Mastering this game will require strategic thinking.
To triumph in Pairs and Perils, having a sharp mind is just the beginning. You need to optimize your deck by carefully handpicking upgrades from the shop, protecting your valuable cards from greedy monsters, and creating a winning strategy to navigate its challenges.
As with many roguelikes, no two playthroughs of Pairs and Perils will be the same. Each session begins with a unique set of heroes, enemies, and items, ensuring that every run feels fresh and throws unexpected challenges your way. The game’s increasing difficulty will push you to your limits, with dangerous encounters and formidable bosses lurking deeper within its dungeons.
Pairs and Perils certainly has me interested. By taking familiar mechanics and crafting something innovative and compelling, it strikes a chord with my love for roguelikes. If you’re curious, you can find Pairs and Perils on Steam right now, and I suspect I’ll be diving back into its depths soon enough.
