Papers, Please

 PC
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1617 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,350 out of 1617
  2. Mixed: 213 out of 1617
  3. Negative: 54 out of 1617

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  1. Termin8ter
    Sep 2, 2017
    8
    The reason this game peaked my interest was because Davey Wreden, the creator of The Stanley Parable and The Beginner's Guide expressed respect for the small indie title. So i dived right in, not sure what to expect. First off, the graphics are just terrible. But luckily, that doesn't detract from the experience playing the game. Second, the game is very cleverly designed. Not so much withThe reason this game peaked my interest was because Davey Wreden, the creator of The Stanley Parable and The Beginner's Guide expressed respect for the small indie title. So i dived right in, not sure what to expect. First off, the graphics are just terrible. But luckily, that doesn't detract from the experience playing the game. Second, the game is very cleverly designed. Not so much with the attention to detail in the look of the game, but about the subtle and clever moral dilemmas that this game springs on you during it's runtime. Great game, but not for everyone. Get it for a cheap price to see if it's for you or not.… Expand
  2. PlagaMedicum
    Jul 9, 2017
    10
    Замечательная игра. Её создатели очень постарались над разнообразием геймплея, атмосферой и проработанностью этого мира. Начинаешь верить, что это реально, что эти люди реальны. Советую попробовать, если еще не сделали этого.
    Слава Арстоцке!    Замечательная игра. Её создатели очень постарались над разнообразием геймплея, атмосферой и проработанностью этого мира. Начинаешь верить, что это реально, что эти люди реальны. Советую попробовать, если еще не сделали этого.
    Слава Арстоцке!
  3. hassall
    May 13, 2017
    8
    Very fun game when you are bored and have nothing to do. I joined the resistance. But not because I wanted to, I HAD to. It was the only way I could feed and buy medicine for my family who were sick. Still a very fun game and a good time killer.
  4. Perfected
    Mar 28, 2017
    6
    Gaming is TERRIBLY flawed from a logical stand point. After a certain point in the game, the vast majority of people will all not have proper documentation and it just really removes me from the games immersion.

    Encounters are extremely repetitive and dull. The game is clearly meant for the IOS and its just grindy and boring. 6/10 do not recommend, its a flawed boring dull game    Gaming is TERRIBLY flawed from a logical stand point. After a certain point in the game, the vast majority of people will all not have proper documentation and it just really removes me from the games immersion.

    Encounters are extremely repetitive and dull.

    The game is clearly meant for the IOS and its just grindy and boring.

    6/10 do not recommend, its a flawed boring dull game that has tons of logical errors when it comes to customs / border patrol / immigration.    … Expand
  5. SolidCenturio
    Jan 27, 2017
    9
    It's not as flashy as some 3D games, but it's beautiful. It isn't as loud as other games, but it's sensational. It's not as verbose as other story-focused games, yet it's very emotional, and managed to tell a story through your actions. Who knew that taking on the role of an immigration inspector could be so nerve-wracking, yet so rewarding at the same time. You just spend your time behindIt's not as flashy as some 3D games, but it's beautiful. It isn't as loud as other games, but it's sensational. It's not as verbose as other story-focused games, yet it's very emotional, and managed to tell a story through your actions. Who knew that taking on the role of an immigration inspector could be so nerve-wracking, yet so rewarding at the same time. You just spend your time behind the desk; you approve or deny visas, and wish that at the end of the day, you've got enough money to feed your family some bread.

    With your role as an inspector, you get to choose the fate of the immigrants and the country. People desperately want to get inside, and they'll do absolutely anything for an approval. Sometimes, more extreme solutions come into the minds of people, and they'll just climb over the border to be shot by guards. If you fail your duties, the country temporarily goes into a state of disarray, and employs tighter security measures which makes your job harder. A harder job means more papers. More papers means more time observing discrepancies. More time observing discrepancies means that the immigration line moves slower - and a slow line doesn't pay the bills. Don't be surprised if, by the end of the day, your family died of hunger just because you didn't work harder for the country.

    It's very interesting to see how something so minimal, could be so powerful. The player works a mere desk job, yet becomes judge and protector of this fictional country. You connect entrants with their loved ones; you give immigrants better lives; you give people a new start - all with a single stamp. It's storytelling at one of its finest moments, and Papers, Please showed what the medium is truly capable of.

    And there you have it.    … Expand
  6. Broyax
    Jan 8, 2017
    0
    Moué, un "jeu" vite fait, bricolé dans une cave et codé avec les pieds sur un Amstrad en 16 couleurs EGA, un petit délire gratuit d'un branque qui a trop forcé sur l'apéro... euh attends... gratuit ? ah nan le gars, il le vend, il veut de l'argent en échange ! on marche sur la tête.

    Pourtant, un simulateur de douanier, de délit de faciès et de contrôle d'immigration, c'est parfois    Moué, un "jeu" vite fait, bricolé dans une cave et codé avec les pieds sur un Amstrad en 16 couleurs EGA, un petit délire gratuit d'un branque qui a trop forcé sur l'apéro... euh attends... gratuit ? ah nan le gars, il le vend, il veut de l'argent en échange ! on marche sur la tête.

    Pourtant, un simulateur de douanier, de délit de faciès et de contrôle d'immigration, c'est parfois marrant. J'aime bien débusquer les **** truqueurs de merde parce que j'suis douanier mais faut pas me prendre pour un con ! j'ai l'oeil et c'est comme ça que je gagne ma vie derrière le rideau de fer.

    Très répétitif, très limité, ce non-jeu ne mérite pas le moindre kopeck mais on peut comprendre l'engouement anarcho-gauchiste qu'il a provoqué : abolissez les frontières, libre circulation des biens et des personnes, vivre ensemble et heal the world !    … Expand
  7. mo0nbuggy1
    Dec 24, 2016
    10
    Original, interesting, hard, unforgiving, funny, sad.....
    The list goes on.
    This is one of the best indie games of all time. I can't wait for number two.
  8. Hassaleh
    Oct 14, 2016
    10
    In my view, Papers, Please achieves everything a video game can hope to accomplish. The way in which controls, visuals and story-telling work together to give you the impression of life under an inescapable, oppressive regime is marvelous. Even though your character essentially never moves from his spot, through his job as a border control official you get to experience the practicalIn my view, Papers, Please achieves everything a video game can hope to accomplish. The way in which controls, visuals and story-telling work together to give you the impression of life under an inescapable, oppressive regime is marvelous. Even though your character essentially never moves from his spot, through his job as a border control official you get to experience the practical impact of abstract bureaucratic policies. What does it actually mean to deny a family member access to their loved ones, to possibly send someone back to their death just because your rule book says you must do so?
    This game gives you tough choices and makes you think about how governments treat their citizens and people from other countries in a world of nation states. It makes you question the way we perceive of people that seem strange to us but who are also just trying to get by and live some kind of a decent life. It is this social and political significance for which I especially applaud the developers and I hope they will continue to make such great games.    … Expand
  9. Atilla1456
    Oct 9, 2016
    10
    Great concept of a quite simple game. This game is only for those who are patient, as work IS involved if you want to play. There are several endings which I enjoy, but also a great story that unfolds itself within time. I really like the pixel art, which goes together with the atmosphere of the game. An amazing game to buy.
  10. raashnavj
    Sep 13, 2016
    0
    Work... Seriously someone made a game that is worse that work. How this got positive reviews beats me...

    It starts harmless enough, you compare a few numbers and rules and stamp it approved or denied. Then it adds in checking for another document, and then another, and then another. All for almost no pay, your family will get sick. I guess if you play it a few times you will    Work... Seriously someone made a game that is worse that work. How this got positive reviews beats me...

    It starts harmless enough, you compare a few numbers and rules and stamp it approved or denied.
    Then it adds in checking for another document,
    and then another,
    and then another.
    All for almost no pay, your family will get sick.

    I guess if you play it a few times you will memorize the handbook which will make things go faster. But seriously people? Have we come this far that 'entertainment' is pretending to do a job that absolutely sucks and then giving it great reviews? People now-a-days have issues.    … Expand
  11. TRANDO101
    May 21, 2016
    9
    There isn't really much to talk about when it comes to this game. its got a pretty cool art style, a neat story, and a fresh way of telling some parts of it, as well as some pretty good gameplay. With this said, all of these things are of minimalist variety, and if you don't like sim games, you probably won't find much enjoyment in this game.
  12. CasualCoolseb
    May 21, 2016
    9
    Loads and loads of entertainment fun; that's how I would describe this game. The pixel art is amazing, the gameplay exceptional, and the community is awesome. In the end, I recomment this game to anyone!
  13. psylife
    Apr 7, 2016
    6
    This is a "find the intruder" game that manages to entertain the player beyond its base mechanic. The remarkable achievement lies in the fact that the morality and message is contained within the mechanic of the game itself and this is a seldom seen virtue in games. The message is not only valuable but highly depending one each player, which makes the concept that much more commendable.This is a "find the intruder" game that manages to entertain the player beyond its base mechanic. The remarkable achievement lies in the fact that the morality and message is contained within the mechanic of the game itself and this is a seldom seen virtue in games. The message is not only valuable but highly depending one each player, which makes the concept that much more commendable. The presentation while being rudimentary, is remarkably effective in conveying a sense of place and time. This game at its core is a blueprint for how games should conceive themselves.… Expand
  14. gracjanski
    Feb 27, 2016
    10
    Genious work. They created such a great dictatorship atmosphere with so few instruments, and it is still on the same level as Halflife 2. Another evidence, that games dont need high costs to be great.
    The story is interesting and becomes more and more complex. Because of 20 different ends you try different ways, simply to try some fun decisions. The saving system is perfect for that,    Genious work. They created such a great dictatorship atmosphere with so few instruments, and it is still on the same level as Halflife 2. Another evidence, that games dont need high costs to be great.
    The story is interesting and becomes more and more complex. Because of 20 different ends you try different ways, simply to try some fun decisions. The saving system is perfect for that, because it saves automatically every day. It was very interesting to see myself changing to a ruthless official, that let civilians be arrested or not in the country, just to survive myself. Although there wes never such a setting this game is already first class.

    What could be better? Of course the amount of content is not the same as in AAA games. The small desk was a bit annyoing, becaus later on you had many documents to see. But these are just details. Oh, there is another bad point: I cant buy this game on a CD/DVD.    … Expand
  15. danstew
    Feb 15, 2016
    9
    This is the kind of indie game that I really like... it's obviously low-budget, and the graphics, interface and sound are totally old school. Yet, it doesn't matter, as the game itself is pretty unique and interesting... maybe even addictive.

    Basically, it's an exercise in concentration. Each day, your job as a passport-controller becomes more difficult. At first, there are like 2-3    This is the kind of indie game that I really like... it's obviously low-budget, and the graphics, interface and sound are totally old school. Yet, it doesn't matter, as the game itself is pretty unique and interesting... maybe even addictive.

    Basically, it's an exercise in concentration. Each day, your job as a passport-controller becomes more difficult. At first, there are like 2-3 things to watch out for. Each day, a new thing to observe and look out for is added, and so you need to remember more and more things to watch out for. Some of them don't come up for quite some time, but once you get too careless, you miss those things and fail.

    Fortunately, you can mess up a few times each day without having to pay a fee from your measly pay. Then again, the more complaints you get, the worse it gets, as there also is some kind of inspector who will judge your efficiency every once in a while.

    I recommend to write down the issueing cities from each region on a piece of paper... otherwise, you might lose quite some time checking every time.

    I have played this for 5 hours so far, in two sessions, and I notice that it really can eat away at your ability to concentrate, so I think this is best played casually... do like half an hour at a time so you don't burn yourself out.

    I really like the theme, as it DOES make you think a bit about how unfair the system in that country is, and you have to make some harsh decisions. There even are a few puzzles in there in the story-mode.

    Kudos to the developer... this is a fun little game, and to me, the old school graphics don't matter at all, as the core of the game is very well thought out, and it's fun!    … Expand
  16. bigboss1964
    Jan 27, 2016
    8
    Papers, Please

    Game-play: The game-play is great it really test your skills in puzzle games with a ton of different things you have to pay attention. Story: The story is simple but good and you can change it how ever you want according to your decisions I can not tell how much time it will take you because if you are a good player it could take many any many hours if not it could end    Papers, Please

    Game-play: The game-play is great it really test your skills in puzzle games with a ton of different things you have to pay attention.

    Story: The story is simple but good and you can change it how ever you want according to your decisions I can not tell how much time it will take you because if you are a good player it could take many any many hours if not it could end in 1 or 2 hours but that is a reason to try to be better.

    Graphics: The graphics blend in perfect with the game.

    Notes: You should buy this game even if you are not very big fun of puzzle games you will love it as I did this game is just great.    … Expand
  17. riley794
    Jan 21, 2016
    0
    I heard it was fun but it looked terrible so I waited till a good Steam sale to pick it up. Still feel like I got ripped off. This game is worth nothing. Please if you think this game is fun I have an even better game for you to play called cleaning my house. Probably the worst game I have ever played! If you are having fun playing this game there is something missing from you lifeI heard it was fun but it looked terrible so I waited till a good Steam sale to pick it up. Still feel like I got ripped off. This game is worth nothing. Please if you think this game is fun I have an even better game for you to play called cleaning my house. Probably the worst game I have ever played! If you are having fun playing this game there is something missing from you life called a job!… Expand
  18. GreenMachineG
    Jan 16, 2016
    8
    Papers, Please brings a lot to the table, and I enjoyed everything it brought! The idea of the game is fairly simple; identify discrepancies in people's passports and papers as they try to enter your country, but things get interesting when events occur that switch you from a complete robot mentality of finding the issues and denying people, to the moral conundrums of working for aPapers, Please brings a lot to the table, and I enjoyed everything it brought! The idea of the game is fairly simple; identify discrepancies in people's passports and papers as they try to enter your country, but things get interesting when events occur that switch you from a complete robot mentality of finding the issues and denying people, to the moral conundrums of working for a totalitarian government, and whether yourself, and family are worth putting on the line for the greater good. Great gameplay mechanics, with good difficulty progression. The game always explains exactly how to identify the next set of discrepancies, and gives you all the time in the world at the beginning of each day to make a game plan. Amazing replay-ability. With 20 different endings Papers, Please offers up the ultimate game of choice. Can they enter Arstotzka?

    8.5/10    … Expand
  19. iseeall
    Jan 4, 2016
    6
    The game has a great and novel concept and I must say I enjoyed the setting (working as a border control official in a totalitarian country) a lot. The presentation is great, the music is also very much fun. Still the game lacks in actual gameplay. It is just about matching overwhelmingly large quantities of data, and this is very tiring and leaves you just exhausted and with a headacheThe game has a great and novel concept and I must say I enjoyed the setting (working as a border control official in a totalitarian country) a lot. The presentation is great, the music is also very much fun. Still the game lacks in actual gameplay. It is just about matching overwhelmingly large quantities of data, and this is very tiring and leaves you just exhausted and with a headache rather than provides a fun experience.

    Surely, the author tried hard to keep the small portions of fun coming in: here you get a spy, here a corrupt official, here a funny old man who happens to be a terrorist. All these small random events kept me engaged for a while. Still, all in all the game is dull and too difficult (and difficult in bad way, meaning that it strains your attention and patience instead of your intelligence). I was stressed to get all those people's documents checked and had almost no time to read those funny conversations.

    The author's goal was to show how bad the USSR was, and he did it in his own way. While playing this game I kept having this "oppressed" feeling even though I somewhat enjoyed denying entry to people (at first). For fairness sake, I must note (and no one seems to mention this in reviews) that his portrayal of a bureaucrat's life in the USSR is inaccurate to a point where I wonder if this game is a parody of exactly the USSR or just totalitarianism in general or whatever. If you didn't know this, bureaucrats in the USSR were the privileged class. And they were paid a fixed amount which never depended on their performance on their jobs - exactly that made them so inefficient. So, if this game would have to stay realistic, you as the main character would earn your $100 per day even if you'd not process a single person in the waiting line. Let the little people wait, who cares :) Hell, you could just go "to have some coffee" in the beginning of the day, and then come back after lunch or something, or only process people who offer you bribes if they want to get across the border so much. And if someone complains and an inspector from above comes to check up on you, you just share your bribes and so on. In a sense, a bureaucrat is invincible in such corrupt systems, and the game could show that. Then it would be those little people waiting in the line where you'd see the real suffering, while you'd enjoy and exploit the system in your comfortable chair. This would make a completely different game, something closer to Tropico maybe, where the smiles and jokes hide the ugliness of a corrupt society.

    As it is, the game attempts to criticize Russia but ends up being an inaccurate, thought-up presentation of something some people in the West probably want to see in history, but which didn't exist. Or is the author showing the idea of bureaucracy and totalitarianism in general? Can a western bureaucrat recognize himself in the main character, even though Arstotska sounds like a Russian word to a western player? (actually, to me as a Russian it sounds more like Czech or Polish). Anyway, a 6/10 for this novel experiment of a game which sadly fails to be entertaining after 1-2 hours.    … Expand
  20. Datamari
    Dec 6, 2015
    8
    It's an interesting experience.
    Papers, Please is a game where you work at a border patrol office accepting or declining people who are coming into Arstotzka. The gameplay is simple, you make sure somebody can come through the border by checking their passport and wallets. Sometimes it can be really easy, but later on, it can ramp up in difficulty, making it very difficult to not mess    It's an interesting experience.
    Papers, Please is a game where you work at a border patrol office accepting or declining people who are coming into Arstotzka. The gameplay is simple, you make sure somebody can come through the border by checking their passport and wallets. Sometimes it can be really easy, but later on, it can ramp up in difficulty, making it very difficult to not mess up. You also have to tend to your family, which can get really difficult if you're not careful. After a while, you start dealing with things like terrorist attacks, and the game's story can get really interesting and grim. It does get repetitive after a while, but with the multiple endings, there is a lot to come back to. It's a very well made game, and it's only 9.99 on Steam, so it's worth a buy.

    Papers, Please gets an 8/10.    … Expand
  21. Gohenko
    Nov 27, 2015
    8
    Papers, Please is a very unique game. I wouldn't really say it's fun to play, but it's definitely a gripping and tense experience. It's a game with a message and I respect it for that, but it won't be a game I'll be playing again and again.
  22. brightestabyss
    Nov 25, 2015
    9
    Quite possibly one of the most emotionally dismal and stressing games I've played (Note: I have not played The Binding of Isaac). You play as a man who is a border control agent who must check the entrants passports, paperwork and quotes carefully and you must detect any errors and do the according actions.

    This may sound like one of the most dullest games ever made when I describe it    Quite possibly one of the most emotionally dismal and stressing games I've played (Note: I have not played The Binding of Isaac). You play as a man who is a border control agent who must check the entrants passports, paperwork and quotes carefully and you must detect any errors and do the according actions.

    This may sound like one of the most dullest games ever made when I describe it on that level. You see that's just the game's surface. Behind that there is an incredibly depressing and dark story around you that you yourself has a significant impact upon the world depending on your actions. I'm not going to disclose the story but you must stamp enough approved passports in order to get enough money to feed your family and your work involves Terrorism and you are under an extremely authoritarian and corrupt government.

    Near the end of the game I was so stressed and pressured that I ended up absolutely loving the game... This game shouldn't be spoiled to you in any way because the story is so much more effective when you are involved and you make the decisions (Which actually takes place in your work place without changing the game mechanics).    … Expand
  23. Overvulture
    Nov 9, 2015
    9
    I'm not sure why I'd even bother to write a review for this one, because you already know if you want it. Either you're intrigued by the concept, curious just how they can manage to make such a boring idea into compelling action, or you're instantly repelled by the premise, and rightfully so. This is about as indie as indie games get, and also as brilliant as they get. It takes such aI'm not sure why I'd even bother to write a review for this one, because you already know if you want it. Either you're intrigued by the concept, curious just how they can manage to make such a boring idea into compelling action, or you're instantly repelled by the premise, and rightfully so. This is about as indie as indie games get, and also as brilliant as they get. It takes such a simple thing, and wraps it up in politics, real-world parallels, and perhaps even some genuine feels to make you feel more invested in the fate of a fictional immigration officer than you ever would about a generic grimacing action hero.

    But drama and intelligence aside, it's also surprisingly fun, with a very smooth difficulty curve that makes you feel your own skills improving just enough to meet the game's increasing demands. It even comes with some bonus high score modes that you could conceivably see yourself playing. It tells an interesting, branching story through simple means while also somehow managing to make boring real life work into entertainment I want more of. This is pretty much the epitome of why I love the indie game market despite all its warts.    … Expand
  24. Johnlouf
    Sep 21, 2015
    9
    This games story is amazing for a game without the complex graphics and the 100+ hour gameplay.The game perfectly delivers the feeling of a guy that desides the future of people just by putting a stamp on a paper, it is also A VERY CHALLENGING GAME too challenging at some point, where you will find your self just confused of what to do when your desk its filled with papers and youThis games story is amazing for a game without the complex graphics and the 100+ hour gameplay.The game perfectly delivers the feeling of a guy that desides the future of people just by putting a stamp on a paper, it is also A VERY CHALLENGING GAME too challenging at some point, where you will find your self just confused of what to do when your desk its filled with papers and you also have to keep attention to rebels that try to blow up the gate and you have to shot the or you will lose.But he most intrigiung thing in this game is the complex story which gives just enough to keep going.… Expand
  25. ThePCGamer101
    Jun 24, 2015
    10
    A fun indie game that shows you the gloom of a job as a border control officer, I definitely recommend buying this game as it will truly put you in the seat of a border control officer, from the music to even the conversations you have with the people entering Arstotzka, it is a true dystopian document thriller, GLORY TO ARSTOTZKA!
  26. Atr0s
    Jun 19, 2015
    3
    Even though the amount of details in this game is quite impressive for an indie developer (you can interact with several tools to play the game), the amazement stops shortly after you play the game for more than a couple of minutes. It's a game on which all you do is pure bureaucratic procedure and it's fun as it sounds, losing the whole point of entertainment in the process. TheEven though the amount of details in this game is quite impressive for an indie developer (you can interact with several tools to play the game), the amazement stops shortly after you play the game for more than a couple of minutes. It's a game on which all you do is pure bureaucratic procedure and it's fun as it sounds, losing the whole point of entertainment in the process. The management portion of the game is minimal, leaving you only with 2 options to balance your expenses.

    3/10 for the effort.    … Expand
  27. Skulb
    Mar 8, 2015
    7
    This is a depressingly realistic game but not an entirely unrewarding one. In fact it takes a very simple concept; paperwork in increasing quantities and of increasing complexity; and asks that you check it against existing guidelines for mistakes or falsehoods. At first it is about as exciting as it sounds. But then the pressures of getting this tedium out of the way quickly so you canThis is a depressingly realistic game but not an entirely unrewarding one. In fact it takes a very simple concept; paperwork in increasing quantities and of increasing complexity; and asks that you check it against existing guidelines for mistakes or falsehoods. At first it is about as exciting as it sounds. But then the pressures of getting this tedium out of the way quickly so you can service as many people during a shift as possible, in order to pay your bills, and of doing it without mistakes so you won`t be fined start to kick in. The more rules you have to observe and the more papers have to be shown by every person entering your booth the harder it gets to keep things moving along. Rush and you`ll make mistakes and get fined. Be too conscientious and you won`t have time to get enough people through customs, or indeed rejected for some discrepancy. It is a fascinating process to go through, and at the end of it you must necessarily have developed your own system for checking all the facts you need to check in a timely and organized fashion, or it`s just not going to be possible.
    Just listing all the possible mistakes you can make in the sea of papers and procedures this game throws at you would be too long. Wrong gender on the passport, wrong picture, wrong name on the work visa, wrong date on the access pass, wrong city of issue on the passport, bomb strapped to leg which you couldn`t find. It is endless but all just natural and inevitable consequences of the complexity of the concept. Which is basically monotonous paperwork at a border crossing. It should be neither fun or engaging but somehow it manages to be. At least for a while.

    I would score it higher like all the hipsters are doing. But the game suffers from a distinct lack of replayability. Not that it necessarily needs it. It is obviously amongst other things a political and social statement which also forces some stark moral choices on the player as it goes along. But replaying the same days over again becomes less and less alluring with each new start until you just call it a day at some point. I got to day 21 (Out of 30 I believe) before I was arrested on my last game. And I just couldn`t face going through all those days one more time, just so I could see the last week and a half. Call me a quitter!    … Expand
  28. Ziffe
    Jan 24, 2015
    8
    Paper's please is a game where you stamp passports and arrest people. Basically, this game is FUNominal. Russian joke hohohhohohohohhoho!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  29. DDilettante
    Jan 17, 2015
    9
    Papers, Please gets the stamp of approval.

    This game straddles somewhere between a Spot-the-Difference and a Puzzler, and despite the purposefully simplistic pixelated graphics, it portrays a grim and desolate world, while also offering the faintest glimmer of hope. You work as an Immigration Official (probably the first game ever that tries this), just trying to do your job on the    Papers, Please gets the stamp of approval.

    This game straddles somewhere between a Spot-the-Difference and a Puzzler, and despite the purposefully simplistic pixelated graphics, it portrays a grim and desolate world, while also offering the faintest glimmer of hope.

    You work as an Immigration Official (probably the first game ever that tries this), just trying to do your job on the border between Kolechia and Arstotzka, amidst the threat of smugglers, terrorists, and basically anyone the Arstotzka officials deem unworthy at the time.

    Initially, you'll be tasked with just checking out if the immigrants have the correct papers, and the details within them check out, and so on. The amount of things to check up on steadily increase by the day, which adds to the stress of time management. Do you quickly rush through stamping APPROVED or DENIED to most people without a cursory glance? Or do you fret over every detail, ensuring that you're doing the right thing and letting no scum in?

    The problem with the latter, is that you have a family to care for back home, which you'll manage at the end of each day. Food, heating, medicine; this all requires money, which you'll only get from admitting worthy people into the country. This is difficult to prioritise, especially if you make it later into the game when less genuine people are admitted.

    Thankfully, there is some great humour sprinkled in to offset the cruel conditions, mostly from the lovable old man Jorji Costava... damn you, you old sneaky rascal.

    Overall, there is some replay-ability, due to the harsh set-up which may take an attempt or two to get the hang of. Also there are many different endings that are possible, depending on the choices you make.

    Glory to Arstotzka.    … Expand
  30. ImABiscuit
    Jan 2, 2015
    9
    I thoroughly enjoyed the hell out of this game since it came out last year. I still find myself willing to nitpick the excruciating tiniest amount of details and finish the game properly for hours end. I never thought myself to be stuck on this kind of game for more than 5 hours. I ended up with 20+ hours trying to get the ending I wanted. I liked the interesting mechanics of this game,I thoroughly enjoyed the hell out of this game since it came out last year. I still find myself willing to nitpick the excruciating tiniest amount of details and finish the game properly for hours end. I never thought myself to be stuck on this kind of game for more than 5 hours. I ended up with 20+ hours trying to get the ending I wanted. I liked the interesting mechanics of this game, it's just very refreshing to see a game in a way that is different to others. I entirely liked the feeling of dread being the immigration officer who rejects and accepts visitors to Arstotzka and having to have a conscious decision on everything.

    GLORY TO ARSTOTZKA!    … Expand
  31. Carahyba
    Dec 29, 2014
    10
    Forget the bad reviewers. This game is AWESOME, perfect in every single piece of it.

    Story 10/10 (with multiple endings)
    Graphics 10/10 (retro at '80 decade storyline)
    Sounds 10/10
    Music 10/10
    Challenge 10/10
    Originality 10/10
    'Addictionality' 10/10
    Entertainment 10/10
  32. anotherplayer
    Oct 27, 2014
    9
    Another example that content is king. If you have that, you don't need a huge budget to write a very good game. Very nice surprise for the price. Great mood.
  33. Sensless
    Oct 11, 2014
    9
    Very nice take on video games. but also very simple concept. There are many dark and depressing moments in this game that make you really feel like you have to deal with these situations in real life. As the game progresses, each day becomes harder, and you start to learn each of the countries in the continent and their main districts. There is even terrorist attacks, criminals trying toVery nice take on video games. but also very simple concept. There are many dark and depressing moments in this game that make you really feel like you have to deal with these situations in real life. As the game progresses, each day becomes harder, and you start to learn each of the countries in the continent and their main districts. There is even terrorist attacks, criminals trying to pass through and a secret organisation in the game. Very good for its price and another example of better graphics don't make a better game. A solid 9/10… Expand
  34. Rem
    Sep 21, 2014
    7
    Papers Please smirks an interesting premise, set in a fictional Russian region known as Arstotzka, you assume the role of a border agent. One weakness of this game would be that it doesn't really give you much reason to try and earn as much to keep your family alive. I simply played for the sake of immersion. I also loved how the game always added new challenges and rules, by the end ofPapers Please smirks an interesting premise, set in a fictional Russian region known as Arstotzka, you assume the role of a border agent. One weakness of this game would be that it doesn't really give you much reason to try and earn as much to keep your family alive. I simply played for the sake of immersion. I also loved how the game always added new challenges and rules, by the end of the game, it was one of the most challenging games I've played in a while without having to fire a gun. The game surely isn't superb being that it doesn't drive you any further than your first journey and the ending, while being 20 of them, falls short. Regardless, Papers Please is worthy of Glory to Arstotzka.… Expand
  35. rogermorse
    Aug 24, 2014
    8
    Very nice. I didn't expect to like it this much. The correct word is 'addictive'. Once i started, i could not stop. Also, I thought it was only a practical game, but there is a plot behind, moments of fear, of surprise and many other details, everything happening at your desk. 20 possible endings, I have seen about the half of it in 10 hours gameplay (about 350 people checked). 85/100
  36. ausgebombt85
    Aug 20, 2014
    9
    This game is fantastic. The little it has to work with, it makes it work perfectly. It even encourages several play throughs to discover the different endings to the game.

    As a customs official you have the option to play by the book, keep your salary plus some varying bonuses and struggle to keep your family warm and well fed. But this circumstances, most often than not, encourages    This game is fantastic. The little it has to work with, it makes it work perfectly. It even encourages several play throughs to discover the different endings to the game.

    As a customs official you have the option to play by the book, keep your salary plus some varying bonuses and struggle to keep your family warm and well fed.

    But this circumstances, most often than not, encourages you to break the rules and become corrupt by taking bribes and helping out terrorist organizations. It is really a tale of the morals and it opens your eyes on the realities that someone in this world is certainly facing.

    As a game, it is really entertaining. You could think it would get old and boring really fast to be just checking passports and admiting/denying entrances, but the variables are greatly increased in short bursts, which makes for a fantastic and engaging experience.

    I even work as an Editor in the real world, and I was skeptical to play a game where you need to check for grammatical details and correctness of information - but there I was, I had a blast and played about 4 hours and a half, which was enough to at least discover 10 of the 20 different endings to this game.

    Completely recommended.    … Expand
  37. Pravs
    Aug 19, 2014
    9
    The idea of the whole game is excellent. Brilliant and addictive story. You have to make a decision almost all of the time. For sure, it won't be wasted time.
  38. mertcank97
    Aug 17, 2014
    10
    Game is very addictive and background track is awesome. :) Don't jugde it just because it doesn't have so many Holywood effects or excellent graphics. It is 30 MB-game and so good. :) There is one thing to say 'Glory to Arstotzka!'
  39. SynSeven
    Aug 14, 2014
    8
    A great game in its genre: Simple as Great.
    The story line mixed to the fight between "legally" and "humanly" right, makes it highly immersive, but probably a bit TOO hard, it will become a rage game at stages.
    Worth its cost.
  40. silenthunter000
    Aug 13, 2014
    7
    Im Spiel spielen Sie einen Zollwärter des erfundenen Landes Arstotzka, an einem Grenzposten im inneren des Russischen Reiches. Sie sind als Zollwärter für das Abarbeiten der Einreisenden verantwortlich.
    Dabei stehen sie unter Zeitdruck, da sie nur für jede abgearbeitete Person Gehalt bekommen. Außerdem sitzt ihnen ein Geheimdienst im Nacken, wodurch sie immer auf Passfäschungen, Personen    Im Spiel spielen Sie einen Zollwärter des erfundenen Landes Arstotzka, an einem Grenzposten im inneren des Russischen Reiches. Sie sind als Zollwärter für das Abarbeiten der Einreisenden verantwortlich.
    Dabei stehen sie unter Zeitdruck, da sie nur für jede abgearbeitete Person Gehalt bekommen. Außerdem sitzt ihnen ein Geheimdienst im Nacken, wodurch sie immer auf Passfäschungen, Personen ohne Einreiseerlaubnis…. gefasst sein müssen.
    Im Spiel werden auch die Einzelschicksale vieler Reisender beschrieben, wo es oft von ihrer Entscheidung abhängt, wie sich das Leben dieser Personen weiter entwickelt.
    Oft müssen sie dann aufgrund des Geheimdienstes die Wahl treffen, ob sie einer Person an der Grenze helfen wollen, oder ob sie ihre Familie ernähren wollen.
    Diese Dramatik wird aber an Personen, welch sich nicht gut in solche Situationen einfühlen können vorbeigehen, wodurch das Spiel seinen Reiz verliert.

    Bewertung:
    (Alle Aspekte ausgenommen Story werden mit einer Auswahl zwischen 1 und 10 Punkten bewertet. Story mit einem Wert zwischen 1 und 20. Aus der Summe durch 10 wird dann der "Score“ ermittelt.)

    Grafik: 6 (zweckmäßig)
    Performance: 10 (sehr gut)
    Story: 16 (nicht für jeden etwas)
    (Spielzeit in Stunden durch Preis in €) mal 10: 10 ((8:8)*10=10, hoher Wiederspielwert)
    Sound: 6 (zweckmäßig)
    Bedienung: 7 (etwas fummelig)
    Balance: 9 (schwer aber nicht unfair)
    Proprietäre Features (weniger =besser): 10 (keine)
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Summe: 74    … Expand
  41. Bacondoughnut
    Aug 5, 2014
    9
    I have nothing to say about this game besides that it is amazing and that it was designed amazingly. This game is about working at a border checkpoint and seeing who can go through and who can't based on their paperwork.
  42. TitaniumDragon
    Jul 9, 2014
    7
    Papers, Please is a very strange and difficult to rate game. You are an immigration officer, charged with determining who to let into the fictional Eastern European communist country of Arstotzka. Even the genre of the game is rather hard to pin down; ultimately, the game boils down to trying to find inconsistencies in the papers, making it a puzzle game of sorts, but it somehow lendsPapers, Please is a very strange and difficult to rate game. You are an immigration officer, charged with determining who to let into the fictional Eastern European communist country of Arstotzka. Even the genre of the game is rather hard to pin down; ultimately, the game boils down to trying to find inconsistencies in the papers, making it a puzzle game of sorts, but it somehow lends checking people’s paperwork an air of great gravity and tension, even if the actual activity itself is rather boring.

    I don’t know if you can really say that Papers, Please is a fun game; there is a great feeling of tension throughout, and yet also of monotony. Somehow, you feel obligated to keep your faceless family members alive; somehow, you feel like the question of a bribe is a real one that has real weight; somehow, you feel like what you’re doing is important. And yet, ultimately, you’re just checking paperwork and determining whether or not to let people through based on the paperwork and your own feelings about the situation.

    It is definitely an engaging experience, but I'm not sure if I can really say that I had fun playing it, apart from the interactions with Jorji and the tasks I did for EZIC. But I still played all the way through without putting it down.    … Expand
  43. Duresthar
    Jun 23, 2014
    10
    Incredibly good game, one of the more recent games that have actually been worth the money in terms of time invested and entertainment value. Unfortunately, i'm extremely bad at selling the concept of this game to my friends. Must make them play it.
  44. J4MESOX4D
    Jun 21, 2014
    9
    Papers Please is a ingenious game that turns a mind-numbing, extremely tedious and seemingly dull concept into a challenging and atmospheric indie title. I was very skeptical about buying this but having picked it up in the Steam sale for £3.49; I feel like I've robbed the developer has it certainly warrants a full price purchase.

    The game sees you working on the desk as a new    Papers Please is a ingenious game that turns a mind-numbing, extremely tedious and seemingly dull concept into a challenging and atmospheric indie title. I was very skeptical about buying this but having picked it up in the Steam sale for £3.49; I feel like I've robbed the developer has it certainly warrants a full price purchase.

    The game sees you working on the desk as a new immigration inspector at a border checkpoint for the fictitious country of Arstotzka. Your responsibility is to allow or deny people entry based on their passports. You make money at the end of each day to support your family and any mistakes you make affect your wage.

    At first the game seems really simple as you stamp passports based on people's rights to entry whilst looking for any discrepancies on their documents e.g fake photo, expired passport, but the game gradually builds and new conditions for entrance eligibility change such as foreigners not allowed in. The criteria for entrance alters every day so you have to keep your wits about who you let in at that specific time. It really keeps you focused and you will make mistakes which affects your pay. Attention to detail and a speedy service adds to the strange addiction this game provides.

    The retro backdrop and 80's Russian-inspired atmosphere really adds to the game as a novel and surprisingly enjoyable title. It's like a very addictive puzzle game that will keep you engrossed for hours at a time. A simple idea; superbly executed. Must-buy!    … Expand
  45. carlosgtardon
    Jun 10, 2014
    10
    El mejor juego del año, además te hace reflexionar sobre cómo una experiencia atractiva puede llegar a cubrir una mecánica de juego terriblemente tediosa, pero el reto y la historia hace que quieras jugar y jugar. Sin duda de las mejores compras que puedes hacer si te interesa la disonancia ludonarrativa.
  46. omegacat
    May 22, 2014
    9
    Working in military security myself, and having years of ID checking experience, I couldn't imagine anyone could make a "game" of it. It's boring, tedious, thankless work.
    Somehow they pulled it off. What I find mind-numbing at work, I find pleasantly challenging within the game. In fact, I may even believe that the game has made me better at my job, by reminding me how easily those    Working in military security myself, and having years of ID checking experience, I couldn't imagine anyone could make a "game" of it. It's boring, tedious, thankless work.
    Somehow they pulled it off. What I find mind-numbing at work, I find pleasantly challenging within the game. In fact, I may even believe that the game has made me better at my job, by reminding me how easily those little details can slip by unnoticed.
    If you want to test your attention to detail and get immersed into Cold War era Asia, give the game a look.    … Expand
  47. ImJTHM
    May 2, 2014
    5
    About as tedious as actually working in an immigration office, Papers, Please offers a unique story that is told in a wonderful way, but somewhere along the line, the programmers forgot that sometimes games are supposed to be FUN and have challenge.

    The gameplay of the game consists entirely of examining documents given to you by immigrants and attempting to figure out if they are lying    About as tedious as actually working in an immigration office, Papers, Please offers a unique story that is told in a wonderful way, but somewhere along the line, the programmers forgot that sometimes games are supposed to be FUN and have challenge.

    The gameplay of the game consists entirely of examining documents given to you by immigrants and attempting to figure out if they are lying about their information, forged, their documents, etc. This means looking at tiny numbers, comparing them to other numbers, comparing the person and their mugshot (which may or may not look the same, but the game considers the same person), and occasionally dealing with situations that dramatically alter the story of the game, which is actually quite good.

    This novelty is fun for the first few levels, when you are just cycling through numbers, comparing weights, heights, hairstyles, etc. However, the game quickly becomes unreasonable in what it asks. You see, this isn't a puzzler. You don't have your own time to figure these out.

    Your character is essentially paid on commission, and for every person that goes through, he gets money. For every character that goes through and shouldn't, or ones that should go through but you turn away, you are issued a citation and fined. This means that you can't buy upgrades and you can't take your money home to your family. Mess up enough times, and your family is put to death by the government.

    This completely asinine ticking clock mechanics makes the game extremely stressful in a not fun way, as you cycle through person after person, trying to match up upwards of 10 sets of rules (needs specific symbol on password, needs three forms of ID if native, two if immigrant, heights match, dates match, diplomats don't require ID, etc), which gets massively tedious incredibly quickly.

    I am a guy who loves a good story, and the story of this game really gripped me. However, the gameplay is shallow, boring, and literally just irritating. You can call it meta or whatever you want, but at the end of the day, this is a tedious game with irritating rules and a great story.    … Expand
  48. mmmMatto
    May 2, 2014
    9
    A really original premise. It starts out simple, but that doesn't last long. You quickly become frazzled as mountains of paperwork clutter up your tiny desk and you have to make sure everything meets the constantly changing rules. Remain vigilant and efficient or you don't get paid.

    This seems cut and dried, but dilemmas are thrown into the mix that test your conscience. Do you    A really original premise. It starts out simple, but that doesn't last long. You quickly become frazzled as mountains of paperwork clutter up your tiny desk and you have to make sure everything meets the constantly changing rules. Remain vigilant and efficient or you don't get paid.

    This seems cut and dried, but dilemmas are thrown into the mix that test your conscience. Do you heartlessly follow orders, or do you let a woman slip through when you discover she'll otherwise be subjected to sex trafficking and possible death? If you show some compassion your family might have to go without food for a couple days. Your decisions affect how the story progresses with 20 possible outcomes.

    An eerie atmosphere that only a harsh cold-war nation could provide and some subtle dark humor make Papers, Please intriguing and addictive. Highly recommended.    … Expand
  49. CallOfGaming
    Apr 30, 2014
    8
    Papers, Please is the proof that a simple concept can turn out into addicting and clever games. Your function is quite simple: decide who enters the city of Arstotska and who doesn't. The trick is, you have to check if all the given papers are correct (e.g. False name, picture doesn't match look, etc.). At the end of the day, you have a family that you need to keep healthy, fed and warm.Papers, Please is the proof that a simple concept can turn out into addicting and clever games. Your function is quite simple: decide who enters the city of Arstotska and who doesn't. The trick is, you have to check if all the given papers are correct (e.g. False name, picture doesn't match look, etc.). At the end of the day, you have a family that you need to keep healthy, fed and warm. An interesting thing, is that sometimes people can act as a moral compass. One time, a woman passed and she said that she needed surgery, although she didn't have the necessary papers to enter the city. Hardly, I stamped her passport "DENIED" and basically doomed her. And sometimes you might be unlucky enough to have a terrorist drop a bomb at your desk or threaten to kill you!… Expand
  50. credford
    Apr 19, 2014
    2
    I wanted to like this game. However, as a Software Engineer, the core gameplay just feels like doing extra work when I get home with a **** IDE. Even the humanizing story elements weren't enough to keep me playing. It's just not fun.
  51. Maluko
    Apr 18, 2014
    8
    Muito bom o jogo, tem que esta ciente que é bem retro. A dificuldade vai mudando conforme você vai ficando melhor, parece simples mas te faz se sentir bem por estar melhorando no jogo.
  52. MigRib
    Apr 16, 2014
    0
    Could someone (please) remind the hipsters that the 80s are long gone? This is not a Spectrum 48k game, it shouldn't look like one. This kind of thing keeps on showing up with wonderful reviews, written by people who use admire so much "the classics" even though they (probably) weren't even born when the bloody classics were new... It's just rubbish, treat it as such.
  53. ConorHat
    Apr 12, 2014
    0
    I have a hard time understanding why gamers want stuff like this? I grew up using an IBM 486, and the graphics then were better than this, that was in the 80's. Honestly, pattern recognition and some basic choices of whether to be a traitor or not, and that sums it all up. 85/100 for this? It's time for me to find a new hobby I think.
  54. Eskandare
    Mar 28, 2014
    10
    An amazing game! Papers, Please is subtlety complex, yet fairly easy to play with natural learning curve. The game play challenges ones decision making prowess as well as observation skills. At first I wasn't sure about getting this game but once I had played it I was won over by it's game play, depth, and semi-8bit charm. Papers, Please is a game well worth buying. Not giving any spoilersAn amazing game! Papers, Please is subtlety complex, yet fairly easy to play with natural learning curve. The game play challenges ones decision making prowess as well as observation skills. At first I wasn't sure about getting this game but once I had played it I was won over by it's game play, depth, and semi-8bit charm. Papers, Please is a game well worth buying. Not giving any spoilers here, you much experience this game.… Expand
  55. bryan_05
    Mar 21, 2014
    3
    If you don't like paperwork in real life I can't imagine you'd like this game. Basically you're comparing some documents to a set of rules which you have been supplied. Find a discrepancy and point it out. Miss a discrepancy and lose some points. I don't understand the hype behind this game.
  56. ha553
    Mar 8, 2014
    9
    I LOVE this game! Papers please is a game that has a personality much like the Stanley parable. It´s a game both focuses not only on game-play but a game that stays in your mind after you played it. People complain that it´s boring because "all you do is stamp a pass" says that all day "Boom bang" shooter. I´m not trying to be hipster but i like good indie games because it´s a change fromI LOVE this game! Papers please is a game that has a personality much like the Stanley parable. It´s a game both focuses not only on game-play but a game that stays in your mind after you played it. People complain that it´s boring because "all you do is stamp a pass" says that all day "Boom bang" shooter. I´m not trying to be hipster but i like good indie games because it´s a change from all AAA games. Your moral decisions is devastating to you because you have to ruin someone else´s life to save your own.… Expand
  57. AbstractWB
    Feb 22, 2014
    6
    Ah, Papers Please. What we can say about this little gem? We can say that its just one of my favorite games of all-time (under Half-Life 2). Its a game that DOES NOT get boring after a while. Once you start playing, you'll never stop. This game has 20 finales that will reveal with what you are doing in the game.

    Music: 8. The soundtrack has just three songs: the main menu, the good    Ah, Papers Please. What we can say about this little gem? We can say that its just one of my favorite games of all-time (under Half-Life 2). Its a game that DOES NOT get boring after a while. Once you start playing, you'll never stop. This game has 20 finales that will reveal with what you are doing in the game.

    Music: 8. The soundtrack has just three songs: the main menu, the good endings and the bad endings.
    Graphics: 4. This game has 8 bit graphics, but we dont care.
    Jugability: 7. In this game the only thing you do is approving or denying the entry to Arstotzka,
    FINAL NOTE: 6,3    … Expand
  58. MatthewDon2002
    Feb 22, 2014
    8
    Think punching passports is your kind of game? Well? You'll be sorely disappointed with this stunning game! Because, despite its atrocious-sounding premise, it's not as egregious as you think it is, because in fact, it's a psychological puzzle that plays with your emotive side wonderfully and it's just not all about being a passport puncher.
  59. tbagurdrumset94
    Feb 21, 2014
    8
    A very unique game. At its core, it's a test of your attention span, but it's deeper than that. Your constantly forced to make a moral decision as to whether or not to admit someone who doesn't have the right credentials, and the game does a lot of little things to emotionally invest yourself in certain characters. Sometimes you really have to strain yourself to recognize an inconsistencyA very unique game. At its core, it's a test of your attention span, but it's deeper than that. Your constantly forced to make a moral decision as to whether or not to admit someone who doesn't have the right credentials, and the game does a lot of little things to emotionally invest yourself in certain characters. Sometimes you really have to strain yourself to recognize an inconsistency on someone's papers, and when it's something as blatantly obvious as a forgotten passport (and upon inquiry, they had it all along), it can feel a little forced. But overall, this is a very charming game. Glory to Arstotzka!… Expand
  60. DeusXCom
    Feb 11, 2014
    8
    Never imagined that playing (working) as an immigration officer could be so fun, but "Papers, Please" is an incredibly catchy game. It's dark, it's funny, it's original. Intense experience. Glory to Arstotzka! 8/10
  61. adhamhany
    Feb 8, 2014
    4
    I don't understand why this game is getting so many high reviews. It does have an interesting concept behind it, forcing you into situations where you make tough moral decisions. The story premise is also fine.

    But a game needs more than that to be called great. A great game, quite simply, needs great gameplay. And this one doesn't. You keep doing the same thing over and over and over.    I don't understand why this game is getting so many high reviews. It does have an interesting concept behind it, forcing you into situations where you make tough moral decisions. The story premise is also fine.

    But a game needs more than that to be called great. A great game, quite simply, needs great gameplay. And this one doesn't. You keep doing the same thing over and over and over.

    This exemplifies what happens when you focus too much on the "artistic" side of a game, rather than create a great gaming experience, or better yet, balance both aspects.    … Expand
  62. slic
    Feb 6, 2014
    10
    All foreigners out! For the glory of Arstotzka!

    Truly remarkable how much can be done without graphics or even a game engine. The game is engaging and genuinely clever, it's not one of those overly self-conscious hipster indie games trying to be "art", it's just a plainly good game.
  63. justachair
    Jan 27, 2014
    9
    I never expected to have so much fun signing passports and entry forms. I never thought customs work would be so exciting and addictive. Papers, Please is proof that games can do the unimaginable. Take one of the maybe most boring and robotic jobs in the world and make it thrilling.
    You are a customs worker in the frontier of Artzozka. People will come to you with a series of documents,    I never expected to have so much fun signing passports and entry forms. I never thought customs work would be so exciting and addictive. Papers, Please is proof that games can do the unimaginable. Take one of the maybe most boring and robotic jobs in the world and make it thrilling.
    You are a customs worker in the frontier of Artzozka. People will come to you with a series of documents, some real, some fake. You will have to deny their entry, or accept them into the frontier. Make a mistake, and your salary at the end of your day won't be enough to feed your family. For example, a man walks in with a documents that says "Female" on the sex. DENIED. But then, a desperate woman comes in, with not the complete handful of documents, but prays for help as someone is trying to murder her in Artzozka and she needs to leave. Help the woman, and you may not have enough money at the end of the day to save your ill son. Do the job right, and the woman is doomed to death. So many moral questions.
    The difficulty of the game is also surprising. You do some sort of investigation with the documents, trying to find discrepancies. This is easy at the beginning, but as the game progresses, there are more documents to look at, and your work space is still the same size, giving a claustrophobic and oppressing look to your job that pairs perfectly with the world in which the game is set.
    The art design is gloomy, dark and depressing. Let's not talk about the events. You are doing your job and suddenly all hell breaks loose when a terrorist explodes a bomb on the frontier. This moments are terrifying, as it may be because of you that the terrorist is in the frontier, because you let him pass, and you don't know how the government will react to that.
    Once you finish the main story (One month of work, if you achieve to survive and not get fired each day) you have the endless mode. That's right, endless waves of documents to investigate and stamp. It isn't as interesting nor as thrilling as the main story. So, yeah, there isn't really much replayability in this game. Unless your entire family died, and you have to go back some days before in the main story to better distribute your money. Yes, there is a lot to Papers, Please than stamping and denying. It is a powerful, intense experience. Another Indie Gem of morality, violence a patriotism. Glory to Artzozka!    … Expand
  64. ted88pd
    Jan 23, 2014
    8
    Non si può negare che questo gioco sia ripetitivo, ma se molti lo considerano un difetto, io presonalmente lo considero un pregio, proprio perchè le meccaniche di gioco presentate in Papers Please sono tali da mettere alla prova la concentrazione, l'attenzione, i riflessi e la capacità di predenere decisioni (giuste o sbagliate che siano) rapidamente e nel minor tempo possibile. La graficaNon si può negare che questo gioco sia ripetitivo, ma se molti lo considerano un difetto, io presonalmente lo considero un pregio, proprio perchè le meccaniche di gioco presentate in Papers Please sono tali da mettere alla prova la concentrazione, l'attenzione, i riflessi e la capacità di predenere decisioni (giuste o sbagliate che siano) rapidamente e nel minor tempo possibile. La grafica retrò e le musichette di accopagnamento contribuiscono a rendere il gioco spassoso e divertente, mentre la trama intricata con 20 finali diversi, spigne a rigiocare il titolo più e più volte per scoprire tutti i segreti nascosti in questo, a detta del creatore Lucas Pope, thriller distopico.… Expand
  65. Invader-Nik
    Jan 18, 2014
    10
    This is byfar one of the best indy games I have ever played. Today's mainstream games are incredibly redundant and tedious, so I turned to indy games.
    Papers Please mixes the dark and sad themes of a post-war area. People are trying to get into your country and you have to see who is real and who is faking it. There are plenty of different things to stop it from becoming repetitive. You    This is byfar one of the best indy games I have ever played. Today's mainstream games are incredibly redundant and tedious, so I turned to indy games.
    Papers Please mixes the dark and sad themes of a post-war area. People are trying to get into your country and you have to see who is real and who is faking it. There are plenty of different things to stop it from becoming repetitive. You have terrorists, bombs, and all sorts of puzzles that reward you with money and tokens.

    The core gameplay is fun and interesting. You are barraged with randomly generated people trying to enter your nation. Each one has their own unique passport. Over the course of the game, There are more and more documents you have to validate. If there is one discrepancy, you must announce it, and any false documents that you accept can get you fined. To top it all off, you have a family to feed.

    There are around 20 endings, each one is unique and great. If you are good at this, you can work hard and try flee Arstotzka, or you can help overthrow it, or you can be the loyal comrade of the people and stop the resistance from destroying your beloved country.

    The game has some really well compiled music, from the strong main menu theme with the communist hints to the music that plays if you survive the game or the music that plays if you get killed along the way.

    Great indy game, 10/10!    … Expand
  66. epichotcheese
    Jan 18, 2014
    9
    One of the greatest game I've ever played, simple in concept but extremely deep and challenging as you move on. Many surprising story elements and twists to keep things fresh. This game also changed how I feel each time I pass through an airport.
  67. t4th002th
    Jan 15, 2014
    5
    hmmmm, someone can tell me whats so incredible awesome about this game? played it for half an hour and never touched it again. when i read the critics it seems to me that every indie-game becomes a 50percent+ bonus just because its "indie", which is maybe fair faced the work a little indie team has to do compared with big companies, but is not objective at all. although in respect to otherhmmmm, someone can tell me whats so incredible awesome about this game? played it for half an hour and never touched it again. when i read the critics it seems to me that every indie-game becomes a 50percent+ bonus just because its "indie", which is maybe fair faced the work a little indie team has to do compared with big companies, but is not objective at all. although in respect to other indie titles i would give this a 5. there are other indie titles with dystopian theme and riddles outthere which are way better.… Expand
  68. Mittsies
    Jan 14, 2014
    9
    Paper's Please is a refreshing experience, unlike anything I've tried before. Although the game play gets tedious quickly, it's an unique concept, it throws out a lot of interesting mind-games at you and it's done incredibly well. Definitely one of the best games of 2013, I really hope to see more from these developers.
  69. slippery
    Jan 6, 2014
    10
    This is an amazing, surprising game. I've played a LOT of games over the years, but this one is inventive.

    At first glance, it would seem that the work of a border guard is meaningless, boring drudge-work, and it IS, but it's also an interesting challenge. You're presented with many pieces of information and you have to verify it, but you have to do it QUICKLY! And when you make    This is an amazing, surprising game. I've played a LOT of games over the years, but this one is inventive.

    At first glance, it would seem that the work of a border guard is meaningless, boring drudge-work, and it IS, but it's also an interesting challenge. You're presented with many pieces of information and you have to verify it, but you have to do it QUICKLY!

    And when you make mistakes, you get these horrible, annoying messages to slap your wrist. More than 2 mistakes and they dock your pay.

    At the end of every day, you look at your measly stupid savings and try to figure how you're going to help your cold, sick, hungry family.

    THEN, on TOP of that, you have these moral dilemmas. In my first game, I had a husband, everything in order, pass. Fine. Go have a nice day. Wife comes: doesn't have an entry purpose. She starts crying that if you send her back, they'll kill her FINE, go ahead, be with your husband, have a nice day.

    FOURTH mistake of the day, pay is docked, take-home ZERO, hungry, sick tired family is not happy, now I'm in debt and it's STRAIGHT to jail!

    Fun. Absolutely gut-wrenching fun.    … Expand
  70. geeksterknows
    Jan 6, 2014
    8
    Papers, Please is a surprisingly addictive game. It has a very unique concept and gameplay. Who knew being an immigration inspector would be this fun? The only thing I'm not happy about is the long time of clicking around and checking discrepancies. I know it's the whole point of the game but the fun fades once you started doing the same thing all over again. This is a game that will testPapers, Please is a surprisingly addictive game. It has a very unique concept and gameplay. Who knew being an immigration inspector would be this fun? The only thing I'm not happy about is the long time of clicking around and checking discrepancies. I know it's the whole point of the game but the fun fades once you started doing the same thing all over again. This is a game that will test your patience and observation to the people in front of you.… Expand
  71. Klewer
    Jan 5, 2014
    7
    A very unique game which after a little while can become repetitive offers some very fun times and a bunch of lifes and insight a long the way. Well worth trying at a good price.
  72. Rick_Masters
    Jan 5, 2014
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Really a Great Game... The old graphics make you doubt at first, but then you realize graphics are just suited to the game. This game is about to the get the job done, well done, and in time in order to keep playing. If you ever had a job that requires checking documents in order to approve something, this will be quite familiar.… Expand
  73. guest91111
    Jan 5, 2014
    10
    This isn't a bad game at all, it's actually one of the view games I might say is perfect, the story gives answer to why people go corrupt, choices matter (Are you listening, Beyond two souls?), you can play the game as you want. I've haven't encountered any bugs while playing, and it was fun!
  74. SirVault
    Jan 4, 2014
    10
    Absolutely amazing game that will keep you addicted for hours on end. Make the right choices and your family survives. Further proof that a game doesn't need to look good to be good.
  75. samdy1
    Jan 3, 2014
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game tests not only your eye for detail, but your morals. With the EZIC group conspiring against the government, you must decide whether or not you will help them and many other people in the game. Is their life worth your job?… Expand
  76. rocketsoul
    Jan 3, 2014
    10
    An incredible game that puts you in a place of poor customs official of Arstotzka country. This is an original, dramatic, fresh, twisty and variable game. A really great one with doubt.
  77. TheLurkingKing
    Jan 2, 2014
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. There's something so amazing about this game that is so hard to explain. Papers, Please is an interesting game, unlike everything you have saw before. This game has you dealing with choices which can affect someone's life to either become better or worse, example, there's a guy escaping from his country with his wife, his passport has no problems, however his wife's passport has, so now you have to choose either if you will to let her pass or not. The game is pretty difficult, requiring full attetion of the player into the game. The game starts simple and gets harder, but not into unfair hard, but fair hard, because if you do something wrong it is your fault not the game's fault. Overall this game gets a 9/10 to me, while the game is good, it is not something that everyone will like about it.… Expand
  78. Underpants158
    Jan 2, 2014
    7
    Towards the end of the game the gameplay actually starts to feel like monotonous work. I found it annoying but then I realized the game perfectly captured being a desk jockey and I appreciated it for making me annoyed just as you'd appreciate a scary movie for scaring you. The game is about 5 hours long and I probably would not play it again but I did enjoy the experience of playing it theTowards the end of the game the gameplay actually starts to feel like monotonous work. I found it annoying but then I realized the game perfectly captured being a desk jockey and I appreciated it for making me annoyed just as you'd appreciate a scary movie for scaring you. The game is about 5 hours long and I probably would not play it again but I did enjoy the experience of playing it the first time.… Expand
  79. busbfran
    Dec 29, 2013
    8
    Papers, Please is another surprise Indie hit of 2013, where the communist state of Arstotzka has just ended a 6-year war with neighbouring Kolechia.Your job as immigration inspector is to control the flow of people entering the Arstotzkan with the forever changing rules and regulations. Among the throngs of immigrants and visitors looking for work are hidden smugglers, spies, andPapers, Please is another surprise Indie hit of 2013, where the communist state of Arstotzka has just ended a 6-year war with neighbouring Kolechia.Your job as immigration inspector is to control the flow of people entering the Arstotzkan with the forever changing rules and regulations. Among the throngs of immigrants and visitors looking for work are hidden smugglers, spies, and terrorists. Using only the documents provided by travellers and the Ministry of Admission's primitive inspect, search, and fingerprint systems you must decide who can enter Arstotzka and who will be turned away or arrested. This premise is extremely addicting and the reliability is very high as their are 20 different endings. Lucas Pope deservers a round of callas for attempting something different, while introducing a fascinating set of characters having only seconds to choice their faith and your own. This leaves a high tense game and a fight for survival to protect your family. Would you let a innocent girl on the run die or let your family go without food?… Expand
  80. UnhonestCritic
    Dec 28, 2013
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is a game with a brilliant story, exiting gameplay and great optimization. (For playing 5 hours in a row I did not noticed any bugs).Many people swear Papers,Please gameplay because of it's monotonous simulator of customs officer's work but the game almost feels the line and some surprise appears when you feel yourself bored of playing.… Expand
  81. lukemacu
    Dec 27, 2013
    10
    Simply stunning. I can't stress enough how much you should play this game. I assure you you will have fun, enjoy the story and leave affected in some way.
  82. RALPH_WIGGUM
    Dec 27, 2013
    10
    This is much more than a game, this is a really good example that shows some videogames should be considered as PURE ART.Papers Please makes you to take moral decissions and to questionate about law and obedience, or what is the same: TO THINK.

    People, buy this game, share it, enjoy it, and love it.
  83. Garethw87
    Dec 26, 2013
    3
    I'm giving this game a 3, simply because the theme of the game is very interesting. However, despite all the hype and attention, there is nothing here. In a quick overview. You have a screen that resembles a counter and a shutter. Somebody appears (the graphical style is akin to old 8-bit 16-bit) and presents a document. You then have to match up that document with whichever order youI'm giving this game a 3, simply because the theme of the game is very interesting. However, despite all the hype and attention, there is nothing here. In a quick overview. You have a screen that resembles a counter and a shutter. Somebody appears (the graphical style is akin to old 8-bit 16-bit) and presents a document. You then have to match up that document with whichever order you have receieved for that day, i.e. No foreign passports today so every foreign passport you deny entry and they walk off. That is all the game is. Obviously the scenarios change and maybe it will be "foreigners allowed today but only from X,Y region" You are just matching up lines of text from your handbook, daily orders to which ever you are presented with. Once the day finishes you get money. You have a few family members, just text on the screen, and you have to buy food, rent, heating, medicine. They can die and so can you, which results in game over. I picked this game up on Steam Sale for about £3.00 I still regret buying it.… Expand
  84. Loucetios
    Dec 24, 2013
    10
    Great game, you should really play it.

    One would think it'd get boring after a while but if you stick with it you'll be rewarded.

    Easily the best indie game of 2013 in my opinion. It's a very unique game and isn't trying to ripoff something else and be a 'me too' product which earns it big points in my book.
  85. Tubey
    Dec 22, 2013
    9
    An astonishing gaming experience, 'Papers, Please' delivers on its premise and then some, managing to be entertaining, addictive, thought-provoking and funny at the same time. True, it's not a game that will suit the impatient (the Michael Bay's of this world will be confused at the lack of mindless explosions and FPS style of gameplay) but for the rest of us it's a unique game that isAn astonishing gaming experience, 'Papers, Please' delivers on its premise and then some, managing to be entertaining, addictive, thought-provoking and funny at the same time. True, it's not a game that will suit the impatient (the Michael Bay's of this world will be confused at the lack of mindless explosions and FPS style of gameplay) but for the rest of us it's a unique game that is thoroughly worth the price of admission.… Expand
  86. Kadugans
    Dec 14, 2013
    9
    This game was a really fun indie work game,my favorite, because of the nice story,sound effects in full version, and the overall 16 bit graphics. This game got repetitive and it got harder as I progressed in the game. I thought the game got boring, but then I realized that the game was doing this on purpose. This game gets a 9 because of the fact that the time is fast and does not giveThis game was a really fun indie work game,my favorite, because of the nice story,sound effects in full version, and the overall 16 bit graphics. This game got repetitive and it got harder as I progressed in the game. I thought the game got boring, but then I realized that the game was doing this on purpose. This game gets a 9 because of the fact that the time is fast and does not give you enough time to probe over every little thing your supposed to, also the fact that your desk gets cluttered with all the paper work. Still this game did this on purpose I suppose but, I don't like that way of things when playing a good game like Papers, please. Thanks Lucas Pope.… Expand
  87. farmvilleif1
    Dec 13, 2013
    0
    No mundo dos games, também existem aqueles jogos que são uma verdadeira porcaria. Blé, que jogo ruim. Mecanicas repetitivas, jogo previsível, chato e sem graça
  88. Sghignifiss
    Dec 13, 2013
    8
    This game is what you'd never expect. It's fun. Hell, you keep checking documents and passports all the time but it's still fun! It's deep, it's various, it's really engaging. It really gives you the idea of how was life in that times. I kept playing for much longer than I thought I would. The game has so many different endings it encourages you to keep playing even if you keep losing. TheThis game is what you'd never expect. It's fun. Hell, you keep checking documents and passports all the time but it's still fun! It's deep, it's various, it's really engaging. It really gives you the idea of how was life in that times. I kept playing for much longer than I thought I would. The game has so many different endings it encourages you to keep playing even if you keep losing. The saving system is simply great, you can restart from any time you want.

    My few notes:
    - graphic: could have been a little better
    - sound: could have been more various

    Anyway it is still a one-guy development. Respect.    … Expand
  89. TB_Justin
    Dec 7, 2013
    9
    What makes an indie game great is not good game play, or even great graphics. It's a truly unique idea which is exactly what this game is! However what is so good is not the routine of checking passports. It is the thrill from planned moments within the game. People begging to let you in, having to find for yourself from a terrorist attack and meeting common faces. Yet it is all that moreWhat makes an indie game great is not good game play, or even great graphics. It's a truly unique idea which is exactly what this game is! However what is so good is not the routine of checking passports. It is the thrill from planned moments within the game. People begging to let you in, having to find for yourself from a terrorist attack and meeting common faces. Yet it is all that more satisfying on completion when the credits show and it's just the name "Lucas Pope". The man who made this fantastic game with an insight to communist politics.… Expand
  90. emanb29
    Dec 7, 2013
    3
    Good game, but gets repetitive very quickly. It's difficulty curve is much too steep, progressing from "I can do this blindfolded" to "crap I lost again" in around 3 levels.
  91. CienoKahlo
    Dec 6, 2013
    9
    Sigh, the moral and economic dilemmas of an immigration inspector. Great concept, easy to pick up, and a surprisingly intriguing storyline unfolds. There's multiple endings too that add to replay value. I love it, and you probably will too.
  92. footfall
    Dec 1, 2013
    10
    This is an important game and worthy of your attention. This is the kind of game that advances the medium of video games and lends credence to the argument that not only are video games art, but that they can explore facets of the human experience that we otherwise would not be able to.

    You play as an immigration/border control officer, and it's your responsibility to allow or deny    This is an important game and worthy of your attention. This is the kind of game that advances the medium of video games and lends credence to the argument that not only are video games art, but that they can explore facets of the human experience that we otherwise would not be able to.

    You play as an immigration/border control officer, and it's your responsibility to allow or deny people into your country. If someone gets into the country with false info, or if you turn away a valid candidate for entry, you get fined. Money is tight, you are the only person supporting your immediate and extended family. But as the documents start piling up, the stories get sadder and sadder, the bribes/espionage/underhanded deals become more and more complex, what will you do?

    This game forces you to reflect on what kind of person you are, and how you view people around you. Do you worry only about yourself and your family? What about the wife who couldn't get a passport and will be killed if she's turned away? There are no easy choices, but you must make them.

    10/10 and this game deserves to be in a museum as well.    … Expand
  93. suneater
    Nov 30, 2013
    8
    A very unique and flavorful puzzle game where you play as a Cold War-esque border checkpoint immigration inspector. Each in-game day is timed and presents new challenges, such as new paperwork, denying access to immigrants from a specific country, or looking for an individual on a wanted poster. There is always a sense of urgency with your income and the livelihood of your family dependingA very unique and flavorful puzzle game where you play as a Cold War-esque border checkpoint immigration inspector. Each in-game day is timed and presents new challenges, such as new paperwork, denying access to immigrants from a specific country, or looking for an individual on a wanted poster. There is always a sense of urgency with your income and the livelihood of your family depending on you to make a quota while the immigrants are harassing you to work faster. With a branching story that changes based on your actions during the days (and your post-work "upkeep" choices) and multiple endings, there are many ways to play through this exceptional experience of a game. Papers, Please is a standout spin on life in the Cold War-era Soviet states that, while depressing and repetitive at times, is something that any puzzle game fan should pick up.… Expand
  94. Tree151
    Nov 28, 2013
    9
    The first thing that you have to say about the game is that it is the exact opposite of adrenaline-filled action games. That doesn't mean that it doesn't fill you up with adrenaline each time you have to deny a husband entry along with his wife or choose whether a man is a terrorist or genuinely wishes to immigrate.
    The design in this game is genial, to say the least. While the objective    The first thing that you have to say about the game is that it is the exact opposite of adrenaline-filled action games. That doesn't mean that it doesn't fill you up with adrenaline each time you have to deny a husband entry along with his wife or choose whether a man is a terrorist or genuinely wishes to immigrate.
    The design in this game is genial, to say the least. While the objective in the entire game remains the same whether to allow or deny someone to pass the checkpoint, each level there is a new feature that keeps you on your guard. The graphics are humble, but in some way it actually helps portray the grim atmosphere that a border guard in a Communist country feels. The story, while there isn't that much of it up front, is still presented in pieces and is well thought. But the most amazing feature in this game is that it actually makes you think, what are you willing to do to survive? Are you willing to deny access to an innocent individual so that your family can get heating for the winter?
    Overall, this game deserves all the praise it receives. Truly an innovative, moving marvel.    … Expand
  95. CasperRosewater
    Nov 25, 2013
    2
    I'm admittedly hard to please; I purchase four or five games for every one that I truly enjoy and can stay with to get all the way through.I give the developers of 'Papers, Please' credit for trying something unusual and different; that's exactly what gaming needs and precisely what I want and hoped for in this game. I truly wanted to like it. But this game but it is utterly boring. MaybeI'm admittedly hard to please; I purchase four or five games for every one that I truly enjoy and can stay with to get all the way through.I give the developers of 'Papers, Please' credit for trying something unusual and different; that's exactly what gaming needs and precisely what I want and hoped for in this game. I truly wanted to like it. But this game but it is utterly boring. Maybe it gets better further and deeper into the game. I dunno, I couldn't get past 20 minutes and I restarted two or three times and always abandoned at the approximate same place there was nothing happening.Nice try though. Two starts for being unique, otherwise zero.… Expand
  96. Bsrkr
    Nov 19, 2013
    5
    I want to start off and say I struggled with this game. I played it for about 50 minutes then figured out what to do. It's really fun for the hour or so. But it gets repetitive. If you like tedious things get it. 5/10
  97. Robkilerrabit
    Nov 18, 2013
    10
    Truly a unique game. It really fits no genre and is practically impossible to describe.However, I feel that anyone with a good sense of humor and appreciation for what one independent developer can accomplish will definitely get $10 worth out of this game. Easily the best game I've played all year.
  98. Dynamiteguy
    Nov 17, 2013
    8
    A great game, not to sink hours into, but to experience the oppressive, and dark nature underneath this seemingly menial and average game. While the game's only real mission, is to stamp passports, either allowing people into your country of Arstotzka, because they have the correct paperwork, or not because there is something fishy going on. However, there is clearly an ethical test thatA great game, not to sink hours into, but to experience the oppressive, and dark nature underneath this seemingly menial and average game. While the game's only real mission, is to stamp passports, either allowing people into your country of Arstotzka, because they have the correct paperwork, or not because there is something fishy going on. However, there is clearly an ethical test that the developers put you under while playing (e.g. A woman wants to come in to your country, but doesn't have the correct paperwork. However, she is a refugee from another country and will be killed if she is forced to return by your denial of her entry. Let her in and receive a citation which could lead to a penalty of tickets because she has the false paperwork, or don't grant her entry, condemn her to death, and do your job correctly). In amongst, the normal masses wanting access to your country there is a choice you have to make. A moral and ethical choice, and this is where the game's main strength lies.

    There are a total of 20 possible endings, so there is plenty of replayability for players who want to experience all of them, but on various different occasions, you have to decide whether to complete your job correctly, and support your poor, starving and cold family, or let your morals take over and do what you believe is right. It really is fantastically done, from an emotional and ethical perspective.

    Overall, an impressive game made by an indie developer who has shown he has lots of potential. Definitely not for everybody, as it takes a certain degree of patience to enjoy it, but if you think you would, watch some videos of it, as for £6.99 on steam, it will be a waste if you dislike it.    … Expand
  99. Aethir
    Nov 17, 2013
    6
    Let me start by saying this is not a game for everyone. If you don't actually remember the Cold War era, it's best you move along. But those who can look past the flaws of its sadly repetitive scripted plot elements and into the soul of the game will find a curious mix of light-hearted humor, compassion and desperation. You hold the power to tear families apart by following the rules, orLet me start by saying this is not a game for everyone. If you don't actually remember the Cold War era, it's best you move along. But those who can look past the flaws of its sadly repetitive scripted plot elements and into the soul of the game will find a curious mix of light-hearted humor, compassion and desperation. You hold the power to tear families apart by following the rules, or conversely to do good things in spite of them. Yes, the difficulty ramps up fast. But old games of the era this game pays were brutal in their learning curves. This is not a game to be beaten easily; it demands attention, organization, prioritizing. You +will+ make mistakes. Learn, take a deep breath, carry on.

    Is it a 10/10 game? No. With more randomized events and a little interface streamlining, it would (in my opinion at least) add to the replay value of what is otherwise quite a heavily scripted plot; but as it stands now it's not a game you'll play for years to come. Perhaps that's beside the point; some games are made to tell a story, not to be played a million times.

    TL;DR version:
    Is it worth $10? I thought so.
    If you were alive around 1982, add another 2 points.    … Expand
  100. wittgenstein
    Nov 16, 2013
    10
    Masterpiece.

    Lucas Pope is a genius. The perfect match between simulation and graphic adventure. A game made by a one-person team succeeds where many AAA blockbusters fail (Heavy Rain, for example). Ok, maybe it's not for everyone. It requires little patience and gets harder and harder. But still is not hardcore gaming. It's art, in the form of a video-game. It make you feel lots of    Masterpiece.

    Lucas Pope is a genius. The perfect match between simulation and graphic adventure. A game made by a one-person team succeeds where many AAA blockbusters fail (Heavy Rain, for example).

    Ok, maybe it's not for everyone. It requires little patience and gets harder and harder. But still is not hardcore gaming. It's art, in the form of a video-game. It make you feel lots of stuff, not very seen in any other title. Emotions like self-shame, or guilt.

    You will like this game if you are:

    -a big fan of old school graphic adventures, but sick of almost every new title that just repeats the same formula.
    -a casual gamer who enjoys repetitive game play with great difficult curve
    -reader of classic science fiction novels like 1984
    -a citizen in a post-USSR dictatorship
    -an art lover, a humanist, who wants to know of new and exciting ways to express anger against governments with humour

    Just one advice: Bigger impact if you know nothing about the game. So, do not read too many reviews!

    Game Play and Mechanics: Challenging and entertaining.
    Plot: Not only good but perfectly integrated in game experience too.
    Graphics: Perfect. Couldn't serve better its purpose.
    Sound: Good. Just one song, lots of silence. Cheesy sound fx. Like graphics, it is what it has to be.
    Fun: Tones. And many other emotions too.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

29
#29 Best PC Game of 2013
28
#28 Most Discussed PC Game of 2013
56
#56 Most Shared PC Game of 2013

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 40 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 40
  3. Negative: 0 out of 40
  1. Gamer.nl
    Jan 2, 2014
    85
    Papers, Please gives you a simple task that doesn't ask a lot of you. The game outgrows its mechanics though, by appealing to your moral compass and emotions. This indie game will get under your skin, will have you feeling uncomfortable and have you think about yourself, as a person.
    Read full review
  2. GameFront
    Oct 14, 2013
    90
    An incredibly impressive little game, from its understated old-school art style to its ability to make you feel uncomfortable with how much you enjoy catching criminals trying to trick their way into your country.
    Read full review
  3. Pelit (Finland)
    Oct 5, 2013
    89
    Papers, Please is not only original but fun, too. More papers, please! [Sept 2013]
See all critic reviews »