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. rathashira
    Sep 2, 2023
    9
    One of my all time favorites, really shows the potential of the indie game scene :)
  2. Toffeltrasa
    Aug 31, 2023
    9
    Glory to arstotzka

    :=====================================================================
  3. rezo_21
    Aug 27, 2023
    8
    ====================IIIIIIIIII GAME SCORE : 80 IIIIIIIIII====================
  4. apokalipto
    Aug 23, 2023
    9
    Very good game. I enjoyed playing this game a lot. I strongly recommend this.
  5. CyberDany96
    Aug 17, 2023
    10
    Increíble como sólo un developer puede hacer hacer esta joya.

    Cuenta con 20 finales diferentes y una inmensidad de decisiones a lo largo del juego. La forma en que evoluciona la mecánica del juego es increíble, llega un momento en el que te sientes un verdadero inspector de inmigración. No soy de jugar simuladores porque me agobia tanta profundidad, pero este juego tiene un equilibrio    Increíble como sólo un developer puede hacer hacer esta joya.

    Cuenta con 20 finales diferentes y una inmensidad de decisiones a lo largo del juego. La forma en que evoluciona la mecánica del juego es increíble, llega un momento en el que te sientes un verdadero inspector de inmigración. No soy de jugar simuladores porque me agobia tanta profundidad, pero este juego tiene un equilibrio perfecto.

    Una joyita indie que tienes que probar! Por Kolechia!!    … Expand
  6. ChiIIaoi
    Aug 8, 2023
    9
    Review só pra lembrar a nota que eu dei pro jogo:
    Jogo mt bom, agora só escrever pra passar dos 75 caracteres.
  7. Young_Fawn
    Jun 21, 2023
    9
    Great Indie Title That's Still Fun 10 Years On

    Papers, Please is a game about border control. You assume the role of a man who has won the labour lottery and is essentially in charge of who gets into the country. The game is set in a sort of fictional communist state named Arstotzka and you work at the border between Arstotzka and Kolechia, however people of other fictional    Great Indie Title That's Still Fun 10 Years On

    Papers, Please is a game about border control. You assume the role of a man who has won the labour lottery and is essentially in charge of who gets into the country.

    The game is set in a sort of fictional communist state named Arstotzka and you work at the border between Arstotzka and Kolechia, however people of other fictional nationalities show up as well for a multitude of reasons.

    The gameplay loop at its core is that you get an immigrant or a native come to your checkpoint and they give you their documents, your goal is to check the passport and any other documents (Vaccination passes, Workers Passes, Entry Permits) to see if it's all in order. If it's all in order, you let them in, if it's not, you hit them with the deny stamp.

    As the game progresses you'll need a much keener eye for detail as more documents and regulations are introduced, even little things like forged stamps and weight and height and very minor spelling mistakes in the names will qualify them for denial. You will miss these on occasion and be given a citation for it.

    The characters, some recurring but most aren't, are what makes the game. You'll find some of them absolutely hilarious and adorable (Jorji Costava) and others utterly repulsive and unpleasant. This plays alongside the storyline, which progresses with each passing day. Accepting bribes for extremist groups to let people through, denying people for bogus reasons etc,

    My only criticism is that some of the names are properly slavic, which is fine but it fits with the theme, but sometimes I felt like the game slighted me a bit by giving me a 9 + 9 surname and forename, everything looks fine but it turns out they were missing an "i" on one of their four documents. Although, in all fairness, I guess I should've been more thorough. The only other thing is the Worker Passes, there's only four permitted stamps but to me they look more or less all the same, I always felt that one was a bit unfair.

    All in all, Papers, Please is a fantastic game and you'll feel good about yourself when playing it. It makes you feel pretty smart when you confidently let someone through but even smarter when you notice just the slightest, smallest discrepancy in their papers. It's definitely worth a shot and in my opinion, even fun to watch.

    9/10, Free my boy Jorji.    … Expand
  8. HydrophobikFish
    Jun 9, 2023
    7
    Refreshing and unique game about passport checking. It's basically a matching game mixed with ethical quandary. Making mistakes or choosing to let someone through can have devastating personal consequences. But its a short game and has little to say beyond that.
  9. tensioly
    Jun 6, 2023
    9
    Papers Please es uno de los juegos más originales que hay. Con una historia que te atrapa, una jugabilidad exquisita y satisfactoria (aunque en ciertos momentos puede resultar algo complicada) y con una ambientación espectacular, se puede observar en el juego un gran cariño por parte de su creador, Lucas Pope. Además, su diseño artístico es muy bueno y, a pesar que quizá no es el pixeladoPapers Please es uno de los juegos más originales que hay. Con una historia que te atrapa, una jugabilidad exquisita y satisfactoria (aunque en ciertos momentos puede resultar algo complicada) y con una ambientación espectacular, se puede observar en el juego un gran cariño por parte de su creador, Lucas Pope. Además, su diseño artístico es muy bueno y, a pesar que quizá no es el pixelado más vistoso de todos, pega perfectamente con la temática del juego. Cabe destacar que a pesar de su corta duración (a mi me duró unas 2 horas y media), el juego es muy rejugable y hay un modo para jugar sin historia (sin que haya un final), que recomiendo especialmente a quienes les haya gustado la jugabilidad. Joyita indie recomendable para todos los jugadores. 8,5/10
    (11/2021)    … Expand
  10. clmeee
    May 22, 2023
    9
    no es perfecto pero ES REALMENTE BUENO y muy barato COMPLETAMENTE RECOMENDADO
  11. Arey100
    May 20, 2023
    9
    Papers Please is a refreshing and unique experience. The characters and story are very interesting and complex, (Love you Jorji). And while the gameplay loop is overall fun, it can get repetitive after a long session. Though I love seeing how fast I can get people through.
  12. BoloDeChocolate
    May 1, 2023
    9
    Jogo com uma mecânica bem simples, mais com algumas coisas profundas como decidir se uma pessoa morre ou viver
  13. ghosttoyou
    Apr 26, 2023
    8
    Шикардосная игра , очень затягивает, токо как по мне не хватило немного уникальных текстов от клиентов.
  14. imalynxcat
    Apr 21, 2023
    10
    Müziği için bile tam puan verilir. Oynanışı çok basit ama inanılmaz eğlenceli. Glory to ARSTOTZKA.
  15. Babutto
    Apr 2, 2023
    9
    Awesome game. Real art.

    Pros.:
    - Variety of endings.
    - Background and back story.
    - Allusions.
    - Small decisions affecting the mood.
    - Achievements.
    - Quick learning.

    Cons.:
    - None, except maybe boring music.

    It is funny first time I played it I didn't like it. Second time - loved it.
  16. danielpsilva
    Apr 1, 2023
    9
    For a game that focus on an otherwise action-laking job/ this game is packed with choices and consequences, both for you, your family and for the people you are letting in or not in the border. Very touching characters. This game put the lens on a reality of despair that is still present in the world today.
  17. VaeL_XJB
    Mar 18, 2023
    8
    muy bueno te atrapa en un ambiente tipo guerra mundial eso muy bueno siendo solo pixeles
  18. Theexponents
    Mar 14, 2023
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. "Papers, Please" is a unique role-playing game that immerses players in the world of an immigration officer in the fictional communist country of Arstotzka. The game takes place in a politically turbulent environment where citizens are resentful of the government's actions. Players are tasked with processing documents and deciding who should be allowed to enter the country and who should not. This involves carefully examining passports and other documentation and reporting any discrepancies that would make the individual ineligible for entry.

    The game's strong political theme reflects the difficult choices that people in positions of power must make. As an immigration officer, players must confront the harsh realities of life in Arstotzka and the consequences of their decisions. The game presents players with moral dilemmas and ethical challenges that reflect the complex nature of managing a society with varying perspectives and ideologies.

    Gameplay involves making decisions based on the information presented on documents provided by individuals seeking entry. Players must utilize critical thinking and problem-solving skills to determine whether or not someone should be permitted entry. Additionally, there are side quests that can be completed by listening to people at the border, which can unlock additional endings or new items. Some of the people that players help or deny entry to may affect their role in the story. The choices made can lead to different paths, and some side quests may be interconnected to the main story. It is important to note that examining documents thoroughly is a major aspect of the gameplay, and not doing so may result in bad endings or negative consequences.

    As the game progresses, the situation in the country becomes increasingly unstable, and players are given authorization by the government to use firearms, including a tranquilizer gun for peaceful solutions or a real rifle to stop a dangerous crowd. However, using firearms inappropriately can lead to imprisonment or execution. Shooting people without consideration of the consequences can have significant impacts on the game's storyline and the fate of the country.

    The game's pixel art style may make it challenging to distinguish characters, but the conversations between them provide a rich narrative that immerses players in the story. "Papers, Please" highlights the struggles of people in a dystopian society with a dictatorial leader who disregards citizen welfare. It forces players to make difficult choices that may have severe consequences, including risking their family's safety.

    Overall, "Papers, Please" provides thought-provoking commentary on the nature of power and the choices that people in positions of power must make. The game illustrates how even an ordinary person with a regular job can become a monster when given power. It challenges players to question their actions and reflect on their motives, whether it be fear, greed, or personal satisfaction. In the end, the game compels players to confront the consequences of their decisions and the impact they have on the lives of others. While some players may find the gameplay repetitive and the pixel art style challenging, the game is a compelling and thought-provoking experience for those who enjoy narrative-driven games and are willing to engage with its themes.    … Expand
  19. Asparz
    Mar 12, 2023
    0
    the most boring game that has ever existed in the world, either you accept the roles or you simply reject them.
  20. 3ls0ul
    Mar 6, 2023
    9
    Este juego aún no lo eh jugado o completado, así que pondré una reseña y nota diferentes cuando lo haga.
  21. arllda
    Feb 4, 2023
    7
    I used to play it when my pc was bad I don't know how the producers came up with such an original idea
  22. aligunes
    Feb 1, 2023
    6
    I couldn't find anything very special. but it's fun to play, nice to pass the time.
  23. SrKano
    Jan 19, 2023
    9
    It's a narrative game based on his mechanicals. The story is hard, and you have to make difficult choices through the mechanics that the game gives to you. Ex: I give you a gun, but it's your choice to use it or not.

    Narrative 10/10 Characters 6/10 Graphics 6/10 World -/10 Gameplay 10/10 It's a great game if you empathize with the characters. If you try to play like you were    It's a narrative game based on his mechanicals. The story is hard, and you have to make difficult choices through the mechanics that the game gives to you. Ex: I give you a gun, but it's your choice to use it or not.

    Narrative 10/10
    Characters 6/10
    Graphics 6/10
    World -/10
    Gameplay 10/10

    It's a great game if you empathize with the characters. If you try to play like you were there it's a great and hard experience.

    It looks simple to just check the papers for a person. But what happens when people are dying and try to escape from that but don't have the papers in order? Again, it's your choice. But the actions have consequences.

    Glory to Arstotzka.    … Expand
  24. nastyjes
    Jan 10, 2023
    3
    Extremely overrated .
  25. renyw
    Dec 19, 2022
    10
    great great great great great great great great great great great great great
  26. Soullex
    Nov 30, 2022
    8
    Sürekli aynı şeyi yaptığın bir oyunu, nasıl tekrara bağlamazsın............
  27. BaldursThones
    Nov 26, 2022
    8
    I have never felt genuinely guilty for loosing a game before. I did not expect that I would need to be that fast to feed my family.
  28. GreppoTV
    Nov 2, 2022
    9
    GreppoTV Games Review in 100 Wörtern
    Papers Please ist ein Einzelspieler-Rätselspiel aus dem Jahr 2013, dessen Grafik und Sound direkt aus dem Jahr 1985 stammen könnten. Doch was macht dieses Spiel aus? Der Grund liegt darin, dass es viel mehr ist als ein simples Rätselspiel. Das Basis-Gameplay an sich ist einfach. Ihr müsste als Grenzbeamter Pässe kontrollieren. Aber mit jedem Tag kommen    GreppoTV Games Review in 100 Wörtern
    Papers Please ist ein Einzelspieler-Rätselspiel aus dem Jahr 2013, dessen Grafik und Sound direkt aus dem Jahr 1985 stammen könnten. Doch was macht dieses Spiel aus? Der Grund liegt darin, dass es viel mehr ist als ein simples Rätselspiel. Das Basis-Gameplay an sich ist einfach. Ihr müsste als Grenzbeamter Pässe kontrollieren. Aber mit jedem Tag kommen neue Regeln und dadurch Komplexität hinzu. Dabei erzeugt das Spiel eine beklemmende Stimmung und einen latenten Druck, es in einem Überwachungsstaat allen Recht zu machen. Das Spiel macht nicht nur richtig Spaß, sondern es regt auch zum Nachdenken über das eigene Handeln an. Großartig!
    8,5/10 - GreppoTV    … Expand
  29. hileger
    Oct 19, 2022
    8
    Игра ТОП Игра ТОП Игра ТОП Игра ТОП Игра ТОП Игра ТОП Игра ТОП Игра ТОП Игра ТОП
  30. Snaybol
    Sep 28, 2022
    10
    Spectacular game. I can really just play this game for hours and see time flying by.
  31. DarthJ
    Aug 28, 2022
    9
    Очень атмосферная игра со множеством интересных концовок. Во время игры реально чувствуешь власть над судьбами людей.
  32. vova22379
    Aug 3, 2022
    2
    ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  33. george_bondo
    Jul 24, 2022
    10
    this game is just perfect with that beautiful music , characters and atmosphere
  34. ponsho174
    Jul 7, 2022
    9
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    CRITIC REVIEWSAll    New Xbox One Releases by DateNew Xbox One Releases by TitleBest Recent Releases for Xbox OneUpcoming Xbox One Release Calendar2022 High Scores - Xbox OneAll-Time High Scores - Xbox OneAll Xbox One Games: A-Z IndexXbox Series X Hardware Review
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    CRITIC REVIEWSAll reviews »
    Metascore97
    Universal acclaim
    based on 33 Critic Reviews

    Critic score distribution:
    Positive:33out of 33
    Mixed:0
    Negative:0
    Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Dec 18, 2018
    100
    Unquestionably 2018's best game, a    … Expand
  35. levoxyl
    Jun 9, 2022
    9
    Really fun game. Has a great idea, gets harder every time with new rules. Has multiple endings that make it more interesting.
  36. YoBoyYo
    Jun 2, 2022
    1
    Seeing all the positive reviews for this game, I was excited to try it. Little did I know that this would be one of the worst games I have ever played, and the only bad indie game I have ever played... Where to start?

    GRAPHICS: The graphics are TERRIBLE. They were inexcusable even when they came out 10 years ago. This is very relevant as the game's core gameplay relies on the player    Seeing all the positive reviews for this game, I was excited to try it. Little did I know that this would be one of the worst games I have ever played, and the only bad indie game I have ever played... Where to start?

    GRAPHICS: The graphics are TERRIBLE. They were inexcusable even when they came out 10 years ago. This is very relevant as the game's core gameplay relies on the player being able to distinguish if a character is female or male, if their low-quality image matches the even more low-quality image on the passport, or if their finger prints matches the one on file. If the player cannot tell, they will get reprimanded or penalized. This is made worst by the fact that the player is always on a time limit...

    GAMEPLAY: The gameplay is quite simply not fun. The concept had potential, but the developper clearly failed in making checking documents for errors fun. The whole process is very boring, lacks variety, and has time constraints that are too tight for its gameplay. The player is also never rewarded for getting anything right, while getting harshly penalized for any slight mistake. Maybe some minigames or more frequent rewards could have helped? The ironic thing is that I've worked this kind of job before in real life and it was way more fun than this. You know its bad when a real job is more fun than a video game lol.

    CHARACTERS: Its impossible to remember any of the characters. The player has a family and is supposed to care about them, but we never see them or get know to know anything about them. Heck, they don't even have names! As such, the player is not compelled to care about them, and instead feels encouraged to kill them off so they use up less money. When it comes to characters seen at the border crossing, the graphics are so bad that it can be easy to mix up the procedurally-generated characters with the plot-relevant or secondary characters. None of them are memorable dialogue-wise as there is very little dialogue at all and all of them speak the same way. As such, what always happens is that a character show up, says a few sentences, and then a few minutes later after they've left, you've already forgotten about them or what they wanted. Because its so easy to forget, the player often misses opportunities, which is frustrating. The only exception I've found is one character that keeps returning to your station every odd day or so, submitting obviously false documents, and who is present from the start. Although, I still don't remember his name. The antagonists of this story -representatives of the Arstostka government - suffer from these same problems. They do not stand out visually or personnality-wise, and you rarely see them or learn about them. They should have gotten at least a theme song. The player should have learned about the atrocities they commit in general or on other characters throughout the story to build tension.

    PLOT: The plot is very difficult to follow and not engaging. This is partly on purpose, as you are supposed to be a border guard with no real insight into the secret EZIC organisation. But, the game is just not clear enough about what is going on. There was one day, for example, that a member from this organisation told me to kill someone in red in the line, but a random terrorist attack interrupted the workday before this red person got to me. The next day they were gone and I never heard from EZIC again. What happened?? Another day, I was asked to let someone specific through, but they never came! Furthermore, there is nothing original about this plot. You guess everything from the start: you have your evil government, and a secret rebel organisation that wants to topple it. There is nothing more to it than that unfortunately.

    LORE: This game features fictional countries but never goes into the history or culture of any of them. There is no lore. Is Arstostka at war right now? Does Obristan actually have better living standards? What are even Arstoska's relationships with these other countries like? We will never know, and the absence of any lore is the biggest missed opportunity of this entire game.

    MUSIC: This OST has only 3 songs: the main theme, the death theme, and the victory theme. I hope you like the main theme, because that's all you'll hear the entire game playing over and over again for 5 hours.

    IN SHORT, this is a bad game. The positive reviews are truly baffling to me. It seems most of them believe this game is being innovative by purposefully giving you a **** experience - to mirror the experience of working a bad job, or in a soviet country. Unfortunately, they are simply pretending the game's flaws were intended or good somehow. This setting could have been "oppressive" and still fun, but it was just not executed well. It was never necessary to have bad graphics, no music, boring gameplay, unmemorable characters or a predictable plot in order to have an authentic soviet experience either.    … Expand
  37. Yaav13
    May 9, 2022
    8
    My truthful honorable incorruptible conclusive rating of this considered game: 8.
  38. Izoeros
    Apr 26, 2022
    9
    qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq
  39. edxtan
    Apr 4, 2022
    8
    The balancing act of speed and precision in Papers Please is so nerve-wracking because a single mistake can be catastrophic for a playthrough. That stress is used against you as you're tempted to make amoral decisions just to alleviate some of it.
  40. Kuzya_Zeleniy
    Apr 1, 2022
    8
    A simple text game with a pretty good plot. Can go on a weak PC. I liked the game, but played it for 3 days, because I'm still bored.
  41. skdcraw
    Feb 17, 2022
    9
    Let's review why Papers Please is a great game.

    First of all, when we look at it from the point of view of art design, I have to say that I found it very successful. Although the game seems to have gone cheap here by not showing us much else, in fact, this is a part of this suffocating life concept. Same day, same desk, same job. In addition, although it is a game where you can count    Let's review why Papers Please is a great game.

    First of all, when we look at it from the point of view of art design, I have to say that I found it very successful. Although the game seems to have gone cheap here by not showing us much else, in fact, this is a part of this suffocating life concept. Same day, same desk, same job. In addition, although it is a game where you can count the pixels, I found it successful that this dark soviet atmosphere could somehow be put into the game. The audio, on the other hand, do not bother you at all, although you do not search for their music on the Internet after the game.

    The gameplay is a little different. Yes, games are starting to tend to more "selling" jobs. If you remember, a few years ago, almost everyone was making "battle royale" style games. Because that concept was returning to game makers as "guaranteed money". So you don't want to engage in such risky business while making a game. Because you never know how many players it will gather. Papers Please, on the other hand, did not gravitate towards this populism, and officially appeared before us as a game where you play as a "border-crossing immigration officer". It would be absurd to expect everyone to have fun in this role. However, I think this game, combined with a story, gameplay and art design that will definitely do justice to this role and attract the player, is very confident in attracting you. The game just starts with you checking the provided documents and determining if people can cross the border. However, the game develops in such a way that after a point you have the authority to arrest, ask questions and even use a gun. While doing all these, you need to take care of your family and be careful about money. In addition, the fact that the game offers you different endings as a result of your different actions, even though you hardly speak, is really impressive for a game in this budget.

    Our story, on the other hand, is one that avoids being very serious, but at the same time makes you feel important. What's the worst that can happen to a border-crossing immigration officer? You will be surprised at what happens to you after you ask the question. In addition, the game does not stand idle, except for the main scenario, and it brings a different tone of people to you. Perhaps you've seen the most prominent "Jorji Costova" on the internet. I can say that Papers Please has a really satisfying story, along with this character that makes you laugh at once, and perhaps the pathetic story that follows it.

    It is certain that it does not appeal to every player, but I invite you to play this game, thinking that it would not be wrong to say that the players who play by paying attention to the plot will leave with pleasure.    … Expand
  42. StarkAgentos
    Feb 4, 2022
    10
    Прошёл игру всего за один час. Очень оригинальное инди. Слава Арстоцке!
  43. Piruz
    Jan 20, 2022
    6
    Has problems with presentation and first class realization of ideas to be standout game
  44. GapeHorn
    Jan 6, 2022
    2
    its a good waste of time. it is not a good game. Very skippable. Skip this game.
  45. OliverAfton
    Nov 20, 2021
    10
    It's the case where you don't give a damn about the game's premise and come away loving what you've just seen.
  46. Fixil_CZ
    Sep 18, 2021
    8
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  47. defenz
    Sep 17, 2021
    8
    ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
  48. Axelle_1
    Sep 6, 2021
    8
    интересная игра с интересным геймплеем и неплохой историей так что 8
  49. Wweald
    Aug 29, 2021
    5
    It's a cool concept but just not my type of game I guess, I didn't hate or love the gameplay. I was underwhelmed with the story, maybe that's because I ignored EZIC. But I don't feel like replaying to see what it would have been like if I didn't. Some of the subplot decisions you can make were cool, going against your job to help others and stuff.
  50. F3T1W
    Aug 27, 2021
    9
    An ingenious project, does not get bored until the very end, moral choices, bribes and, of course ... George
  51. Aiatin
    Jul 17, 2021
    6
    Educational software has come a long way over the years. Papers, Please should be required gaming for every middle school student. It teaches many important life skills. It teaches the importance of attention to detail. It presents difficult, and often no-win, decisions to make. And most importantly, it lets someone know how dreadful of a career a low-level clerical position can be, whichEducational software has come a long way over the years. Papers, Please should be required gaming for every middle school student. It teaches many important life skills. It teaches the importance of attention to detail. It presents difficult, and often no-win, decisions to make. And most importantly, it lets someone know how dreadful of a career a low-level clerical position can be, which should be enough to instill a drive to succeed into any student.

    Papers, Please's game-play is centered around faces versus the faceless. You, a border entry agent of a vaguely totalitarian state, are a faceless character working for the glory of a faceless nation, and between days at work, you get a spartan budget sheet accented with the current maladies afflicting your faceless family members. Wife, Son, Mother-in-law, and Uncle will probably be indicated as living in your state-assigned dwelling, and till you play enough to know what to do and quickly, also probably be indicated progressively as cold, hungry, sick, and so on. Between these intermissions, you're doing the gig: Looking at the faces of entry applicants, their paperwork in the manner prescribed by your faceless superiors, and hopefully determining correctly if everything is in order. If not, you'll get a citation while the next applicant enters your booth. In addition to the regulations stacking up, so do also complications in the forms of spies, guards, authorities, and revolutionaries all looking to use you to achieve their personal goals. Meanwhile you're fundamentally just wanting to know if you should use the green stamp or the red one. Citation rates, with whom you do and don't cooperate among those who would manipulate you, and which applicants you admit, rebuff, or entrust to the border guards determines the fate of you and yours, and perhaps the whole nation.

    Most of the playtime is in your checkpoint booth, which is presented in three sections: A first-person look at the applicant, a cramped workspace for examining documents, and an exterior camera showing the line of applicant silhouettes, a few guards, and maybe something exciting once in a while. Graphics are deliberately low-fidelity, and usefully so. It limits the amount of variation in appearances that are possible, preventing tiny details from becoming suspicious beyond what's warranted, and serves as a good stand-in for grainy and terrible passport photos. The mechanisms for interrogation, such as inquiring why an applicant's stated duration of stay and duration granted by a permit differ is quick and effective, though a few circumstances aren't as clear about where the player must click to activate the right comparison, and some things that seem comparable simply aren't. Given that the game is presented in the form of a series of days on the job, having a first timer's "training week" option as a non-consequential prelude to the story mode would've saved a new player a lot of familiarization fumbling, and after the initial mechanics shock, the game then falls into a pattern of adding one complication a day, so it seems like starting with one instead of starting with a half dozen would've both fit the game design strategy and smoothed introduction to the game. Instead, you'll just have to trial-and-error the first session or two and work through it like certain 8-bit classics.

    And work it is. I believe this game will be either a big hit or a big miss for a given player depending on how much entertainment that person finds in being challenged by "spot the difference" kinds of puzzles. If that's your flavor, Papers should offer hours, if not limitless, enjoyment. But otherwise, it's quite a chore. It feels like amusing classwork, which is why I see it as a great educational game, or as a paper-thin slice of an actual job, a job that should pay actual money for being done. There seems to be an interesting story of political intrigue and human suffering that the player only sees through the one square meter window of the visa check booth. Profound, and I somewhat want to watch that movie. Instead I'm wondering if a nine-character passport serial is a discrepancy to investigate as all the others I remember were ten, and I operate knowing that what I'm seeing is important outside of my booth but ultimately all I'm here to do is to stamp red or green. And when one of my decision paths led to my agent being arrested, I felt liberated. Perhaps there should be a second part to the game in that case, of breaking rocks in a gulag. It could then rival Desert Bus for retelling the punishment of Sisyphus.

    For smart kids with time for non-mindless gaming, or if you dig scrutiny puzzles and/or choose your own adventure games, for you I stamp this green. But if you already work a tedious job, have real life bureaucratic paperwork to deal with using your "free" time, or aren't amused by "gotcha!" game mechanics, consider stepping away from this booth. The glory of Arstotzka might not be for you.    … Expand
  52. That_Normie7
    Jul 10, 2021
    8
    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
  53. Rudey21
    Jun 20, 2021
    8
    rtuijohiujofgobufdiiujohmfbujmfbdgjubmoifoghnrtfyrgfhtyfyhjtfyyhjtfuhjtyujf
  54. sankrs
    Jun 16, 2021
    9
    You should try this game, is short but fun and with a interesting plot, an amazing indie game.
  55. GamerOverThere
    May 8, 2021
    10
    Paper's, Please Checklist Review

    ---{Graphics}--- ☐ You forget what reality is ☐ Beautiful ☐ Good ☑ Decent ☐ Bad ☐ Don‘t look too long at it ☐ Paint.exe ---{Gameplay}--- ☑ Very good ☐ Good ☐ It‘s just gameplay ☐ Mehh ☐ Starring at walls is better ☐ Just don‘t ---{Audio}--- ☐ Eargasm ☐ Very good ☑ Good ☐ Not too bad ☐ Bad ☐ Earrape ---{Audience}--- ☐ Kids    Paper's, Please Checklist Review

    ---{Graphics}---
    ☐ You forget what reality is
    ☐ Beautiful
    ☐ Good
    ☑ Decent
    ☐ Bad
    ☐ Don‘t look too long at it
    ☐ Paint.exe

    ---{Gameplay}---
    ☑ Very good
    ☐ Good
    ☐ It‘s just gameplay
    ☐ Mehh
    ☐ Starring at walls is better
    ☐ Just don‘t

    ---{Audio}---
    ☐ Eargasm
    ☐ Very good
    ☑ Good
    ☐ Not too bad
    ☐ Bad
    ☐ Earrape

    ---{Audience}---
    ☐ Kids
    ☑Teens
    ☑ Adults
    ☐ Human
    ☐ Lizards

    ---{PC Requirements}---
    ☑ Check if you can run paint
    ☐ Potato
    ☐ Decent
    ☐ Fast
    ☐ Rich boiiiiii
    ☐ Ask NASA if they have a spare computer

    ---{Difficulity}---
    ☐ Just press ‚A‘
    ☐ Easy
    ☐ Significant brain usage
    ☐ Easy to learn / Hard to master
    ☑Difficult
    ☐ Dark Souls

    ---{Grind}--- ☐ Nothing to grind ☑Only if u care about leaderboards/ranks ☐ Isnt necessary to progress ☐ Average grind level ☐ Too much grind ☐ You‘ll need a second live for grinding ---{Story}--- ☐ Story? ☐ Text or Audio floating around ☐ Average ☐ Good ☑ Lovely ☐ It‘ll replace your life ---{Game Time}--- ☐ Long enough for a cup of coffee ☑ Short ☐ Average ☐ Long ☐ To infinity and beyond ---{Price}--- ☐ It’s free! ☑ Worth the price ☐ If u have some spare money left ☐ Not recommended ☐ You could also just burn your money ---{Bugs}--- ☑ Never heard of ☐ Minor bugs ☐ Can get annoying ☐ ARK: Survival Evolved ☐ The game itself is a big terrarium for bugs    … Expand
  56. player_101
    Apr 15, 2021
    10
    Very original. I enjoyed it a lot.
    Highly recommended if you want to try something different from the usual.
  57. Gorbunov2004
    Mar 25, 2021
    9
    В этой игре как будто ты и в реальности работаешь на пропускном пункте, и на тебе лежит огромная ответственность. В игре есть забавный дедок который всегда оптимистичный. Также хорошее музыкальное сопровождение. Геймплей усложняется с каждым новым рабочим днём! И вам нужно заботится о своей семье, иначе они все умрут. Игра в среднем проходится за 4 часа.В этой игре как будто ты и в реальности работаешь на пропускном пункте, и на тебе лежит огромная ответственность. В игре есть забавный дедок который всегда оптимистичный. Также хорошее музыкальное сопровождение. Геймплей усложняется с каждым новым рабочим днём! И вам нужно заботится о своей семье, иначе они все умрут. Игра в среднем проходится за 4 часа.
  58. mander0
    Mar 1, 2021
    0
    Glory to Arstotzka. Comrade must rate 10/1O for glorious country. NO EZIC allowed
  59. YigidOx2
    Feb 14, 2021
    10
    Maybe one of the first games that made indie games rise. And still one of the best. A border guard trying to do his job in a corrupt and mixed land. Those who cannot play lose a lot.
  60. letefte
    Feb 4, 2021
    10
    One of the best indie games to ever come out, Papers Please is funny and unique. His holiness delivers a gripping tale of politics, revolution and family drama. And all through the lens of a password-checking simulator.
  61. PC_GAME
    Jan 23, 2021
    9
    This game gets you in. After a few hours you feel like you are living in a communist country. His story is deep and fluid. But there are some shortcomings at some points. For example, if there is an end that you don't want, you may have to continue from the old days. But this rarely happens. There are also too many unnecessary endings. But it is very impressive that the game gives you theThis game gets you in. After a few hours you feel like you are living in a communist country. His story is deep and fluid. But there are some shortcomings at some points. For example, if there is an end that you don't want, you may have to continue from the old days. But this rarely happens. There are also too many unnecessary endings. But it is very impressive that the game gives you the right to progress on the way you want and control your family and even the future of the country. Everyone should play this game at least once. There is nothing like it.… Expand
  62. Cz3rw0ny
    Jan 10, 2021
    8
    Very cool indie game. The gameplay is very addicting and the characters/story interesting.
  63. Hello12345678
    Dec 31, 2020
    9
    I have played this game to completion , unlocking all in game achievements .

    I really like this game , however it is an acquired taste . I personally love the feeling of hopelessness and insignificance it instils in you from the very beginning , as you know that those above you couldn't care less about you , As for the actually gameplay - it is often laborious ( it can a lot of the    I have played this game to completion , unlocking all in game achievements .

    I really like this game , however it is an acquired taste .

    I personally love the feeling of hopelessness and insignificance it instils in you from the very beginning , as you know that those above you couldn't care less about you , As for the actually gameplay - it is often laborious ( it can a lot of the time be rather stressful though )once you are experienced enough with it - forcing your mind to wonder as you contemplate what life must be like for you and of the stories you have heard from travellers . It forces you to make complicated moral decisions when processing . Its very layout makes your working area feel cramped and inadequate - making your feelings of stress amplified .

    All in all i feel this game is amazing - for those who want a certain type of experience .    … Expand
  64. Daryl_Price
    Dec 8, 2020
    9
    Пожалуй, игра действительно почти шедевр. К сожалению, она короткая по хронометражу, маленькая по геймплею, не сильно углублённая в сюжет, но и этого хватает, что бы пройти её на одном дыхании. Всё таки играет развивает твою внимательность и играет с твоими нервишками. И игру можно пройти на одном дыхании, и после неё, ты всё таки сможешь развить свою внимательность, и память, ведьПожалуй, игра действительно почти шедевр. К сожалению, она короткая по хронометражу, маленькая по геймплею, не сильно углублённая в сюжет, но и этого хватает, что бы пройти её на одном дыхании. Всё таки играет развивает твою внимательность и играет с твоими нервишками. И игру можно пройти на одном дыхании, и после неё, ты всё таки сможешь развить свою внимательность, и память, ведь буквально за 1-2 прохождения, ты уже запоминаешь все правила, все исключения, и тебе становится легче. Не 10, потому что всё же, несмотря на свою атмосферу и визуальный стиль, она слишком простая и коротенькая, а разнообразия в геймплее, напротяжении игры, ни сильно прибавляется. Ну а так, игрой очень и очень сильно доволен. Слава Арстоцке!… Expand
  65. thepes
    Nov 28, 2020
    9
    9/10

    /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
  66. PublicNuisance
    Nov 17, 2020
    5
    I wanted to like Papers Please. I liked it’s theme and attention to detail but it went too far. It crossed from having to be attentive to straight up sadism. It quickly became a chore of having to watch out for too many different variables and the punishments stacking up. One could say this is realistic to life in a totalitarian country but in the end games are still supposed to be fun. II wanted to like Papers Please. I liked it’s theme and attention to detail but it went too far. It crossed from having to be attentive to straight up sadism. It quickly became a chore of having to watch out for too many different variables and the punishments stacking up. One could say this is realistic to life in a totalitarian country but in the end games are still supposed to be fun. I liked how you have to pick what to spend what money you have and deal with the consequences. I enjoyed having to check regional maps for cities of issue. I found the buttons to interrogate and to check correlated data a bit clunky which is a bad thing when you’re on the clock. I think the game had a surprising amount of story and different endings based on various criteria.

    I played Papers Please on Linux. It never crashed on me. It does require version 2.29 or higher of glibc so not every distro will run it. The game crashed on Trisquel due to this but ran on Manjaro. There is no manual save options, it saves at the beginning of each day. Alt-Tab works. There are no graphics options.

    Game Engine: Unknown
    Game Version Played: 1.2.69
    Save System: Auto
    Disk Space Used: 80 MB
    GPU Usage: 5-17 %
    CPU Usage: 1-2 %
    RAM Usage: 1.6-1.7 GB

    I can see how this could have been a game I enjoyed but it was too much thrown at you. It seemed like a Dark Souls or Super Meat Boy of the simulator genre. Something you can’t relax to but need to stay on edge for. This may be fun for some but not for me.

    My Score: 5.5/10

    My System:

    AMD Ryzen 5 2600X | 16GB DDR4-3000 CL15 | Gigabyte R9 270 2GB | Mesa 20.2.1 | Samsung 970 Evo Plus 500GB | Manjaro 20.2 | Mate 1.24.1 | Kernel 5.9-3-MANJARO    … Expand
  67. Joellemm
    Aug 22, 2020
    9
    The premise should be incredibly tedious, but because everything mechanically works so soundly, and there is such clear charm and personality brimming from the start, it is actually a brilliantly engrossing experience. Comparing documents in a dystopian, fictionalised, eastern European border control point is not all this game is - quite a mouthful in any case. The minimalist gameplay getsThe premise should be incredibly tedious, but because everything mechanically works so soundly, and there is such clear charm and personality brimming from the start, it is actually a brilliantly engrossing experience. Comparing documents in a dystopian, fictionalised, eastern European border control point is not all this game is - quite a mouthful in any case. The minimalist gameplay gets more complex in every level, without ever feeling unfair. Then there are the characters, some of them reappearing, the choices you're offered, the sudden attachment to nameless family members you're told exist that must be fed and potentially medicated. The political intrigue, terrorist subplot, and the eventual feeling that you're not simply a nameless immigration control worker, but that you're in the centre of it all. And this is just a brilliant achievement on the developer's part.… Expand
  68. Broken_Pixel
    Aug 21, 2020
    9
    Trasformare una lavoro monotono e ripetitivo come quello di ispettore di frontiera addetto al controllo immigrazione in un videogioco dalla forti tinte politiche e renderlo un capolavoro?

    Di sicuro nessuna software house del mondo ci avrebbe scommesso un solo centesimo su un'idea del genere, ma la meraviglia del mercato indie è proprio questa: non si seguono le logiche del mercato o i    Trasformare una lavoro monotono e ripetitivo come quello di ispettore di frontiera addetto al controllo immigrazione in un videogioco dalla forti tinte politiche e renderlo un capolavoro?

    Di sicuro nessuna software house del mondo ci avrebbe scommesso un solo centesimo su un'idea del genere, ma la meraviglia del mercato indie è proprio questa: non si seguono le logiche del mercato o i gusti standardizzati del pubblico, ma si lascia libero spazio alla creatività.

    Questo gioco è un CAPOLAVORO. Punto.
    Volete farvi un'idea di com'era vivere e lavorare in un regime comunista? Delle conseguenze da pagare se si sceglie di supportare i dissidenti? Scegliere se pagare da mangiare o le medicine per il nonno? Un libro di storia non potrebbe spiegarvelo in modo altrettanto efficace. Bisogna viverlo. Sulla propria pelle.

    Ovviamente non è un titolo pensato per la massa né vuole esserlo, ma se cercate qualcosa di veramente diverso e alternativo allora dovete assolutamente comprare un biglietto di sola andata per Arstotzka.

    Glory to Arstotzka!    … Expand
  69. BobbyTarantino
    Aug 15, 2020
    8
    a man goes to the doctor. says he's depressed. he says life seems harsh and cruel. says he feels all alone in a threatening world where what lies ahead is vague and uncertain. the doctor says "the treatment is simple. the great clown pagliacci is in town tonight. go and see him, that should pick you up." the man bursts into tears. he says "but doctor... i am pagliacci."
  70. RusFlexMen
    Aug 10, 2020
    10
    Пусть это и инди проект, но сюжет в нём потрясает также, как и в AAA проектах. Геймплей пусть местами и скучен, но он очень разнообразен. Саундтрек пропитывает до мурашек и заставляет вспомнить игрока, который играл в игру Арстотцку и её около-коммунистический строй. Игра невероятно атмосферная и даже, когда ты заходишь в меню, то ты себя полной душой ощущаешь себя в Арстотцке. Ну и какПусть это и инди проект, но сюжет в нём потрясает также, как и в AAA проектах. Геймплей пусть местами и скучен, но он очень разнообразен. Саундтрек пропитывает до мурашек и заставляет вспомнить игрока, который играл в игру Арстотцку и её около-коммунистический строй. Игра невероятно атмосферная и даже, когда ты заходишь в меню, то ты себя полной душой ощущаешь себя в Арстотцке. Ну и как говорится - "Слава Арстотцке!". (language - Russian)… Expand
  71. kezzyhko
    Jul 26, 2020
    5
    ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍
  72. enei200
    Jul 14, 2020
    9
    Honestly, one of the best indie games I have played. It's simple, yet fun and challenging. The story sets the right mood for the communist regime and gives you the choices, which can effect both your country and your family. An Absolute Must-Play.
  73. Cafe_8bits
    Jul 6, 2020
    8
    Papers Please is a very addictive game, with a simple and engaging idea. Its simplicity makes it easy to pick and play, and its perfect to do so in portable systems. The game plot is really good, and it provides us an insight on matters that have happen, in some extent.
  74. SebsCrazy
    Jun 12, 2020
    10
    Papers, Please es la definición perfecta de lo que es un videojuego. Con un diseño minimalista y mecánicas sencillas, es capaz de engancharte rápidamente. Con una historia bastante profunda y bien elaborada que hace que quieras repetir el juego varias veces para completar cada uno de sus 20 finales. Además, la creación bien definida y la profundidad de sus personajes hace que les cojasPapers, Please es la definición perfecta de lo que es un videojuego. Con un diseño minimalista y mecánicas sencillas, es capaz de engancharte rápidamente. Con una historia bastante profunda y bien elaborada que hace que quieras repetir el juego varias veces para completar cada uno de sus 20 finales. Además, la creación bien definida y la profundidad de sus personajes hace que les cojas cariño. Y encima cada personaje aleatorio que se usa para completar los días, al ser aleatorios, dan la sensación de ser realmente diferentes. Sencillamente, uno de los mejores videojuegos Indie de los últimos años.… Expand
  75. Kotofon
    Jun 6, 2020
    8
    Война между коммунистической Астотцкой и соседней Колечией, длившаяся шесть лет, только что закончилась, и в результате Арстотцка сумела вернуть себе принадлежащую ей по праву половину пограничного города Грештина.

    Вы - инспектор иммиграционной службы, ваша задача - контролировать поток лиц, въезжающих в Арстотцку из Колечии через Грештин. Среди толп иммигрантов, надеющихся найти в    Война между коммунистической Астотцкой и соседней Колечией, длившаяся шесть лет, только что закончилась, и в результате Арстотцка сумела вернуть себе принадлежащую ей по праву половину пограничного города Грештина.

    Вы - инспектор иммиграционной службы, ваша задача - контролировать поток лиц, въезжающих в Арстотцку из Колечии через Грештин. Среди толп иммигрантов, надеющихся найти в стране работу, и прочих визитеров скрываются контрабандисты, шпионы и террористы.    … Expand
  76. Chubac
    May 13, 2020
    8
    Very challenging game but towards the end it gets very tedious. Still a great experience.
  77. ChesterField
    May 12, 2020
    8
    How can be checking papers so addictive. I do not understand. 100% recommended.
  78. drlowdon
    Mar 25, 2020
    8
    You wouldn't think it possible to make an interesting video game from completing the repetitive and mundane tasks of working on a border patrol desk but that's exactly what the creators of Papers, Please have managed to do.

    Split into days the game starts with a set of simple rules that help you decide whether or not to allow access into the games fictional country. Money is awarded for    You wouldn't think it possible to make an interesting video game from completing the repetitive and mundane tasks of working on a border patrol desk but that's exactly what the creators of Papers, Please have managed to do.

    Split into days the game starts with a set of simple rules that help you decide whether or not to allow access into the games fictional country. Money is awarded for every person that is correctly let through and fines given for any errors. As the game progresses more complications, such as having to check passports or watch out for certain types of people, are introduced and pretty soon things become rather difficult. With the strict time limit for each day it does start get close to being unfair and most players will see the game over screen a number of times when they are unable to earn enough to keep themselves and their family alive. In fact I'd be surprised if many people were ever able to see it all the way through to the end (I know I didn't) but while it lasts Papers, Pleas is a unique and though provoking gaming experience.    … Expand
  79. nyeven
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    A brilliant game long in the making. Lucas Pope is a genius!

    Throughout several Ludum Dares, a video game making competition, Lucas made pieces of Papers, Please. Finally in 2013 he has released one of the most brilliant indie games to this date.

    What are you waiting for?! Go play this game!
  80. PanMrkvicka
    Feb 12, 2020
    8
    Very good indie game thats fun and interesting. It has some amazing gameplay ideas and they work so well.
  81. RogueV
    Dec 5, 2019
    7
    It's fun for a little while but does get old. The idea is cool and it's a good gameplay mechanic, the story is done well. My major gripe with the game is that it's a race against the clock type game and you get paid per person which not only totally goes against the spirit of the game, but it doesn't help the game experience, and it doesn't even make sense. First of all, the dev shouldIt's fun for a little while but does get old. The idea is cool and it's a good gameplay mechanic, the story is done well. My major gripe with the game is that it's a race against the clock type game and you get paid per person which not only totally goes against the spirit of the game, but it doesn't help the game experience, and it doesn't even make sense. First of all, the dev should understand the mindframe one is in when they wanna play a game like this. I want to have a chill time at my desk and take my time reviewing the passports. I don't wanna rush through and get paid per passport I approve. Anyway that's not at all how it works in real life, no one is paid per passport. They are paid a salary and don't really care how slow they are being or how much they inconvenience those waiting in line. I feel like that is not only more realistic it would go a long way to improving the game in tone and the general feel of being an immigration agent in a bureaucracy. Oh well. It's unique, indie, fresh, and fun for a couple hours. I won't let one major complaint let me rate this negatively because it's still worth getting.… Expand
  82. Genek13
    Nov 19, 2019
    8
    Cheap as hell and also very good one :)
    Something different than other games on Steam.
    Worth to try !!
  83. naufri27
    Nov 17, 2019
    8
    Uno de los videojuegos indies más viciantes que he probado, de siempre. Y no es por su aspecto visual precisamente; es por un sistema de juego que es tan simple como efectivo y original.
  84. Dardevid
    Nov 16, 2019
    8
    Definirei "Papers, Please" un gioco brillante nel concetto e semplice nell'applicazione di esso, dal gameplay a volte ripetitivo, ma mai frustrante.

    La prima cosa che salta all'occhio quando ci si ritrova a confrontarsi con questo titolo, trattante un estratto della carriera lavorativa di un uomo alla dogana di Arsotzka, è senza ombra di dubbio la grafica retrò, costituente uno dei    Definirei "Papers, Please" un gioco brillante nel concetto e semplice nell'applicazione di esso, dal gameplay a volte ripetitivo, ma mai frustrante.

    La prima cosa che salta all'occhio quando ci si ritrova a confrontarsi con questo titolo, trattante un estratto della carriera lavorativa di un uomo alla dogana di Arsotzka, è senza ombra di dubbio la grafica retrò, costituente uno dei tratti rappresentativi di questo gioco, che ad alcuni potrebbe far storcere il naso ma che a mio parere è essenziale per il fattore di immersione del gioco.
    Il gameplay è mooolto lento, con l'esclusione di alcuni quick-time event, dunque non consiglio di giocare a "Papers, Please" a chi cerca esperienze molto dinamiche o a chi si ritiene molto impaziente, ma se non si appartiene a questo range di utenti, un punto molto positivo è l'incremento di difficoltà, ben camuffato nella trama e sempre divertente.
    Detto ciò, una delle caratteristiche di questo titolo che mi ha maggiormente spinto ad amarlo è la varietà che nel suo piccolo contiene in esso: riesce a fondere perfettamente elementi tratti dal genere puzzle con scelte morali non poco indifferenti: il protagonista si ritroverà infatti più volte a scegliere se porre in maggiore rilievo amici e famiglia o la sua carriera lavorativa, ad esempio quando dovrà decidere se , mescolando il tutto ad alcune fasi "action" (come menzionato prima) ed una spolveratina di gestionale alla fine di ogni giornata.
    I comandi sono abbastanza stopposi all'inizio, ma col passare del tempo si avrà la disponibilità di sbloccare alcuni upgrade che rendono molto più fluido il tutto.
    Ma il tocco di classe è il fatto che, in base a come ci si comporta durante la storia e a che scelte si prendono, il gioco mette a disposizione una gamma di ben 20 finali differenti: personalmente io adoro i giochi con questa specifica feature, ed in Papers, Please la considero la ciliegina su una squisita torta.

    Dunque, ricapitolando:
    PRO - Concept avvincente e ben realizzato
    - Grafica - Alcuni estratti di generi diversi durante la storia, costituenti all'incirca il 35% della totalità
    - Scelte morali
    - Più finali

    PUNTI INDIFFERENTI - Comandi non intuitivi ma successivamente fluidificati attraverso upgrade (ottenuti tramite pagamento in game)

    CONTRO - Trama che personalmente non è riuscita a coinvolgere pienamente la mia intera sfera emotiva (al contrario di quanto accaduto con altri utenti) come altri titoli hanno fatto
    - Per persone eccessivamente impazienti il restante 65% del gameplay, che personalmente ho trovato brillante, potrebbe annoiare nonostante l'incremento di difficoltà.    … Expand
  85. Von-Drako
    Jul 1, 2019
    10
    Fun game wthis is how an game should be .... intuitive ,innovative,, fun

    *spoiler*

    I lost it when they put bomb in my booth. I need drink after that (Whisky) ..and cigaret (iqos el.one)
  86. Wolfgang3
    Mar 25, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A short game if you only want one end is a wonderful concept that works very well

    it did not make me bored or repetitive what I liked the most was how they put their morals to the test and it took me a big surprise when they arrested me for denouncing EZIC    … Expand
  87. BulgarianCritic
    Dec 15, 2018
    10
    Finally i can complete my dream of denying visas and protecting the border on a soviet country.Approved
  88. IloveIndie
    Sep 3, 2018
    9
    Artılar
    +Başarılı atmosfer (3)
    +özgün mekanikler (4)
    +Yaptıklarımız oyunun sonuna etki ediyor (3)

    Eksiler
    -Mekanikler mobil oyun sığlığında (4)
    -Bazı sonlar birbirine oldukça benziyor (2.5)

    Puan: 8.5/10
  89. bertendclaus
    Jul 7, 2018
    8
    It's truly a great indie game in its category. I had fun for 1-2 hrs, but to be honest, a great game should not only have a good story but also astonishing gameplay. And this one, clearly, doesn't have that. The story, as few hundreds user here already told you, is really good. But gameplay could be better. I am fond of the feeling of progression with more and more elements added everyIt's truly a great indie game in its category. I had fun for 1-2 hrs, but to be honest, a great game should not only have a good story but also astonishing gameplay. And this one, clearly, doesn't have that. The story, as few hundreds user here already told you, is really good. But gameplay could be better. I am fond of the feeling of progression with more and more elements added every day, but the core is the same - you are supposed to be a bot, verifying words, numbers, and pictures. Not for everyone, not for me and I guess people get paid to do so. And here we are, I paid to do something that people do to earn money. I'm not even mad, that's amazing (no meme intended), but it could be better. Still, it's one man-made, little, beautiful game and I loved it (for 60 to 90 minutes, but a love is a love).
    If you have some few time, it's a good idea for your evening.    … Expand
  90. jfarq
    Mar 14, 2018
    9
    There is a remarkable work that uses video language to explain, analyze or criticize what a socialist system implies. In Papers, Please you are an immigration agent of a fictitious Soviet republic.

    The system is capable of reducing complex phenomena to the essence through their mechanics. As moral dilemmas as you progress in the game, force you to perform repetitive tasks and not    There is a remarkable work that uses video language to explain, analyze or criticize what a socialist system implies. In Papers, Please you are an immigration agent of a fictitious Soviet republic.

    The system is capable of reducing complex phenomena to the essence through their mechanics. As moral dilemmas as you progress in the game, force you to perform repetitive tasks and not especially fun, with the goal of taking you to a state of alienation. At the end of each day, the player earns money based on the number of people who have been processed, Budget allocated to rent, food, heat, and other needs in low class housing for him and his family. An approximation to the current regime and the dehumanization of Venezuelan reality.    … Expand
  91. Mpbpl
    Mar 12, 2018
    10
    This game is a one of the best indie games made to date. Super simple graphics that blend with the simple era that this game feels. This game shows the difference of a game with moral choices and a moral game, this is the later.
    In charge of a border officer, you have to verify documents as fast as you can because you are paid by the number of people you reject or accept. Don't get any    This game is a one of the best indie games made to date. Super simple graphics that blend with the simple era that this game feels. This game shows the difference of a game with moral choices and a moral game, this is the later.
    In charge of a border officer, you have to verify documents as fast as you can because you are paid by the number of people you reject or accept. Don't get any wrong otherwise they will deduct from your salary.
    This game is really addictive is it's simplicity, if a person comes to you with wrong documents but his daughter is dying and he had to buy medicine, what do you do? You have rules, you have a family of your own and every minute that passes is less money to pay the bills.
    This game is a masterpiece, i have yet to find another game that made me feel like this game did.    … Expand
  92. Jaffar
    Feb 27, 2018
    9
    This game has a superb setting and story that makes the moral decisions you make on a daily basis so much more difficult. The kafkaesque police state setting of Arstotzka feels so hopeless and crushing, with many characters having a sad story to tell and you being barely able to feel your family and pay your rent.
    I found the puzzle mechanic of the main gameplay to be engaging, with    This game has a superb setting and story that makes the moral decisions you make on a daily basis so much more difficult. The kafkaesque police state setting of Arstotzka feels so hopeless and crushing, with many characters having a sad story to tell and you being barely able to feel your family and pay your rent.
    I found the puzzle mechanic of the main gameplay to be engaging, with things added or changed each day to keep things interesting, however it gets a bit stale on repeat playthroughs.
    Relatively short game at around 5 hours, but it's absolutely worth buying even to play just once.    … Expand
  93. TantFuriosa
    Jan 6, 2018
    10
    So utterly depressing story that I could only stand to play an hour. Well done!
  94. RagingPoet
    Jan 6, 2018
    8
    Papers, Please is very unusual game, definitely worth playing. Gameplay may look boring but it is surprisingly engaging. Choices are mostly made via gameplay and they are very impactful.
  95. CenkAlp
    Jan 3, 2018
    7
    Hikaye = 8
    Oynanış = 8
    Grafikler = 4
    Sesler = 4
    Keyif = 8
    Atmosfer = 8
    Süre = 8
  96. Snowertx64
    Dec 27, 2017
    8
    Papers Please: a game is indie Created by lucas a priest, A Developer who devotes himself to exploit more than at all the potential of an age, in this case the cold war

    in the jugable papers please it is the past finished one it is almost perfect, it is super fluid and the past one is addictive any more not to be able Now the history, it is true that although its point is to count    Papers Please: a game is indie Created by lucas a priest, A Developer who devotes himself to exploit more than at all the potential of an age, in this case the cold war

    in the jugable papers please it is the past finished one it is almost perfect, it is super fluid and the past one is addictive any more not to be able

    Now the history, it is true that although its point is to count the reality of an age and is his right to a certain extent it does not stop looking like an easy self-criticism, I say easily to say that this is almost popular culture

    Musically it is really good until you realize that there is the same song one and other one and again non-stop

    The art in papers please boasts and respects although like handyman in the self-criticism it is more or less bad in this point seems quite elaborated to me the style does not have whenever to be the same not always has to be a gray but to be gray it is his right

    Conclusions Finales:this is a good game is with its mistakes but if it had to give him to happen or not, I would let it through

    Jugabilidad:9.75/10

    Historia:7:5/10

    Music: 6/10

    Arte:8.25/10

    Note Final:8/10    … Expand
  97. UncleEd
    Nov 30, 2017
    9
    Papers, Please is one of the indie masterpieces of recent years. You are an immigration officer responsible for passport control, in a dystopian 1984esque state called Arstotzka. The game consists of 31 days. At each day, you are checking/validating/crosschecking passports and each of your decision seals the fate of yourself, passport holder and your family. Each day gets more challenging,Papers, Please is one of the indie masterpieces of recent years. You are an immigration officer responsible for passport control, in a dystopian 1984esque state called Arstotzka. The game consists of 31 days. At each day, you are checking/validating/crosschecking passports and each of your decision seals the fate of yourself, passport holder and your family. Each day gets more challenging, but at the same time, you are learning and getting better&faster each and every day.

    This is in a way also an RPG game where your decision really has an impact on the ending. Are you going to refuse a forged passport holder and deprive her of the only chance to survive an execution at her own state? Are you willing to help someone out only to see him blow himself up right after the passport control? Should you keep your family hungry for one day only to save the lives of others? Papers, Please masterfully puts you in the shoes of an officer to make tough calls in difficult situations. Yes, you can be the "I only follow the rules guy" and reach one of the specific endings. You have only followed the rules and fed your family. Does this make you the good guy? Think about it again, does it? Really?

    There are around 20 endings and therefore the game has a lot of replay value. Music and visuals are beautiful enough to make retro gamers happy. The only shortcoming I can think of is that the game is actually a bit too scripted. Quit and replay a day, you will most of the time see the same problems/dialogues. But play continuously, you will not even notice this.

    Papers, Please is easily one of the best games I have played this year. It is quite thought provoking, something most people of today's world needs.

    Don't forget to check out the bonus flash game "The Republia Times". Quite awesome for 10 minutes.    … Expand
  98. somedude14
    Nov 1, 2017
    9
    I only gave it one playthrough, didn't 100% it, not due to lack of enjoyment, but because for me, it was one of those experiences where it's best to consume it once and then enjoy the fumes of it for the rest of life. An interesting, one-of-a-kind title. Took about 4 hours to complete according to my Steam time - this was back in 2014, though I haven't revisited it since, I did want toI only gave it one playthrough, didn't 100% it, not due to lack of enjoyment, but because for me, it was one of those experiences where it's best to consume it once and then enjoy the fumes of it for the rest of life. An interesting, one-of-a-kind title. Took about 4 hours to complete according to my Steam time - this was back in 2014, though I haven't revisited it since, I did want to give this a quick nod since it was a memorable title.… Expand
  99. aditya1101
    Oct 5, 2017
    8
    Really awesome game with some pretty cool commentary that's very relevant right now. It does a great job of keeping the gameplay mechanics fairly simple so that you can really focus on all of the unnerving things that are happening around you.
  100. curzon_dax
    Sep 15, 2017
    8
    It's very good for what it does, however it can get repetitive within 1 or 2 days of gameplay. It's definitely worth the time to play even if it's for a short while.
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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 »