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Gimmicks can be a double-edged sword in game design. Some of the most successful games stem from an innovative concept, evolving into something unique and captivating. However, focusing too heavily on a single idea can lead to neglect of other essential game elements. This can spell disaster in the gaming world. Today, we’re diving into a game called Pairs & Perils. While it’s certainly a fun ride, it perfectly exemplifies what can happen when a game gets overly consumed by its central gimmick.
At its core, Pairs & Perils is a straightforward matching game. You venture into dungeons and confront a randomized collection of enemies, each equipped with distinct abilities. The gameplay involves matching cards on a board. Successful matches trigger attacks from your party’s various classes, along with casting spells and activating abilities. Incorrect matches, on the other hand, advance your opponent’s turn timer, allowing them to retaliate once it hits zero. It’s a simple and entertaining premise, and I generally don’t have issues with its core mechanics—it’s the extras around this that concern me.
As a roguelite enthusiast, I generally scrutinize this genre more thoroughly. These games often follow a set formula, dangling between greatness and mediocrity, with not much middle ground. A crucial factor influencing success here is the story—or, in Pairs & Perils, the conspicuous scarcity of one.
In genres like arcade games and shooters, minimal narrative works because the emphasis is on action. For story-driven genres like roguelites and platformers, though, a narrative is crucial. You want a sense of purpose behind your character’s journey. A sprawling epic isn’t necessary, but players need just enough story to motivate and immerse them. Regrettably, Pairs & Perils misses this point entirely.
Starting Pairs & Perils, I expected some introduction to my character and their objective. Instead, I was plopped onto a generic map, similar to what you’d find in numerous other roguelites, with no narrative setup or context. While it can be argued that story isn’t vital, I beg to differ. A storyline drives players to return, eager to uncover the next chapter. Without one, even a fun game like this may lose player engagement over time.
Further complicating matters is the gameplay flow. You get a brief moment to memorize the card positions before they flip—too brief, in my opinion. Early on, with fewer cards, this isn’t problematic. But as you progress, getting more cards makes that memorization time crucial, especially with trap cards mingled in, further complicating play.
When you match enough cards, the board refreshes with new ones to memorize in a few short seconds. I found myself mostly recalling fresh pairs, ignoring the broader strategic layer of gameplay, which limits deeper strategic planning.
Additionally, focusing on memory hinders strategizing against your opponents. Ideally, strategy games allow for planning ahead. Here, you’re so focused on the cards, you might overlook your opponent’s strategies, reducing a potentially engaging battle to a mere memory exercise.
Mechanically, Pairs & Perils functions well. Matching works, and the roguelite deck-builder elements—unlocking and upgrading cards and characters—are intact. If you’ve played similar games, you’ll find familiar ground here. The controls work smoothly, and the graphics fit the roguelite genre just fine.
In conclusion, Pairs & Perils is a roguelite CCG with an intriguing central concept. Still, its execution issues undermine its potential to stand out. It’s an enjoyable detour for short play sessions and comes at a budget-friendly price, yet lacks the polish that justifies a recommendation. A more rounded storytelling and fine-tuning could elevate it to a title worth your time. For now, it sits in the middle of a crowded genre. If you decide to check it out, you won’t be entirely let down, but other options might offer more depth and substance.
This review is based on a retail copy of the game provided by the publisher. Here’s how we rated it:
- Look and feel: 7/10
- Challenge: 7/10
- Replayability: 6/10
- Value for money: 6/10
- Overall: 6.5/10
The game offers enjoyment with its core mechanic, but the execution could be better. With a bit of tweaking and updating, Pairs & Perils could shift from just good to truly great. For now, it’s a game that’s entertaining enough but not quite hitting the high notes it could achieve.
