We’ve all delved into some classic games at some point in our lives, haven’t we? Ever matched three tiles, flipped cards hoping to find a pair, or snapped a photo in a grid game? These mechanics are so widespread, it’s almost surprising when someone says they’ve never tried them. However, developing new games with these familiar elements can be a bit of a gamble. Remember the Match Three phenomenon? Back when Jewel Quest hit the scene, it spawned a couple of sequels, each as delightful as the last. While there might have been similar games before Jewel Quest, that one definitely stands out. I personally enjoyed playing all its iterations, but soon every mobile developer seemed to have a version, leading to a saturation that practically stifled new releases that utilized similar mechanics.
This brings me to today’s focus. It’s relevant because there’s a fresh title attempting to stand out by reinventing the familiar. The game in question is Pairs and Perils, a title that encourages a deeper exploration, despite operating within a well-trodden concept like “Pairs.”
Meet Pairs and Perils, a roguelike crafted by the innovative minds at Little Horror Studios and brought to life by Rogue Duck Interactive. Now accessible on PC via Steam, this game shifts the focus from reflexes to memory. This twist in the roguelike genre definitely piques my curiosity, as it’s not often that these types of games require us to flex our mental muscles.
The game mechanics of Pairs and Perils are delightfully straightforward. You’re tasked with remembering the positions of heroes and weapons, matching them to unleash combined powers. Yet, as with any adventure, the journey is peppered with surprises that add complexity and intrigue.
Expect your path in Pairs and Perils to be littered with thrilling escapades and cunning traps. If your memory fails and you mismatch cards, you’ll edge closer to peril. Your foes operate on their own attack schedules, so wrong moves only intensify the danger. They come with their own abilities, too—from pilfering your valuable gold and items to calling forth skeleton armies. These adversaries aren’t just out to irritate you; they’re there to push you to refine your strategy.
Like many games of its ilk, Pairs and Perils demands more than just clever thinking to secure victory. To unveil the most formidable card combinations, you’ll need to make savvy upgrades and use strategic defenses to safeguard your best cards from those pesky monsters.
As I noted earlier, Pairs and Perils is a roguelike, meaning no two journeys will be exactly the same. Every playthrough starts afresh with randomly generated heroes, enemies, and items that throw new challenges your way. Be prepared for a notable increase in difficulty as the game progresses, with powerful bosses lurking in dungeon depths ready to halt your adventures in their tracks.
Pairs and Perils has me intrigued. It’s a breath of fresh air, blending well-worn mechanics into something exciting and different. Being a huge fan of roguelikes, I’m eager to dive into its unique take on the genre. The game is already up on Steam, and you can bet this won’t be the last you hear from me about it.
