Pairs

About

Pairs is a single player simulation game with fantasy and romance themes. It was developed by Jellyfish Parade and was released on November 20, 2017. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

A visual novel about walking a mile in another man's shoes. On Earth. During an alien invasion.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

71%

Audience ScoreBased on 17 reviews

humor2 positive mentions

gameplay1 negative mentions

The game features a unique setup where players can choose to experience the same relationship from different perspectives, adding depth to the storytelling.
The art quality and character designs are appealing, and the writing is surprisingly good for a free game.
The game includes well-crafted bad endings that resonate emotionally, providing depth to the characters and their stories.

The game is criticized for lacking substantial gameplay, feeling more like an e-book with tedious clicking through poorly written dialogue.
Many players found the romance story lacking in chemistry and depth, with side characters often being more interesting than the main ones.
Despite being free, the game has not garnered much interest, with very low concurrent player counts indicating a dismal public reception.

story
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The story has received mixed reviews, with some players expressing a desire for the side characters to take center stage instead of the main ones, indicating a lack of engagement with the primary narrative. However, others appreciate the use of parallel storytelling, which offers fresh perspectives and revitalizes the plot, despite criticisms of weak character chemistry and underwhelming romance. Overall, while some players found enjoyment in specific character arcs and the potential of the setting, the overarching narrative has been deemed lackluster by others.
- “I personally have always liked to read parallel stories, where the same story is told from different points of view, so this visual novel is pretty much a dream come true.”
- “Even when playing the second half of a particular couple, the story didn't feel rehashed, since the fresh perspective gave a whole new life to the story.”
- “I love the story they included in the game; I only got one ending, but I need to get the other.”
- “It is not a good sign when every single one of the side characters leaves you wishing the story was about them rather than the main ones.”
- “A backdrop of what could have been an interesting setting and world-building is wasted on a lackluster 'romance' story without an ounce of character chemistry.”
- “I was expecting some sci-fi story, since the game takes place on Earth during an alien invasion.”
gameplay
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The gameplay is criticized for being minimal and largely consists of clicking through poorly written dialogue, leading to questions about the quality of the content and its suitability for publication. Overall, it lacks engaging mechanics typical of more developed games.
- “As a visual/interactive novel, this doesn't feature any notable gameplay; it's just a lot of clicking through badly written dialogue that would never have been accepted or published in print, which poses the question, 'how did something this badly written end up on Steam?'”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by clever and witty moments, particularly in the exploration of the quirky dynamics between human and naian relationships, which leads to amusing scenarios. Users appreciate the lightheartedness and charm, noting that it effectively adds to the overall enjoyment of the experience.
- “The funny thing is, if you wanted to print this book, you'd only need to print 8 copies to satisfy the entire world's demand for it.”
- “There were lots of cute and funny moments as they tried to figure out how a human/naian relationship could work (rip flower truck).”
graphics
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Reviewers praise the game's graphics for their impressive artwork and the effective portrayal of character personalities, enhancing the overall visual experience.
- “I loved the artwork and the character's personalities.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users find the grinding aspect of visual novels and e-books tedious, likening the experience to a frustratingly slow reading process where each sentence requires a click to advance, detracting from the enjoyment of the narrative.
- “Visual novels/e-books are tedious at best. Imagine the best novel you ever read, whether it's 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy', '2001: A Space Odyssey', or 'Twilight' (if you have terrible taste in literature), but then translate that to a format where the words dribble out and you have to click your mouse every time you want to read the next sentence, instead of just turning the pages.”
- “The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the story.”
- “I found myself spending hours on mindless tasks just to progress, which took away from the enjoyment of the game.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the emotional aspect of the game particularly impactful, with Noiya's route featuring a poignant line that resonated deeply, prompting some to step away from their screens due to its intensity.
- “Noiya's route had a heartbreaking line that made me walk away from my computer.”
- “The emotional depth of the characters left me in tears; I felt so connected to their struggles.”
- “Every choice I made in the game resonated with me on a personal level, making the experience truly unforgettable.”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The music in the game features a fantastic soundtrack, including seven original songs that enhance the overall experience.
- “Just wait until you hear the fantastic soundtrack (seven original songs!).”
- “The music perfectly complements the gameplay, enhancing every moment.”
- “Each track is a masterpiece, adding depth and emotion to the overall experience.”