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. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. UjuidarEhcram
    Sep 28, 2013
    9
    It's kind of surprising how fun this game is, considering the overwhelming feel of misery and oppression the game has. Papers, Please is a game where you play as a border inspector, checking over paperwork, looking for inconsistencies, and making choices that impact many lives, including those of your family.

    The gameplay can get intense at times as you hurry to process as many people    It's kind of surprising how fun this game is, considering the overwhelming feel of misery and oppression the game has. Papers, Please is a game where you play as a border inspector, checking over paperwork, looking for inconsistencies, and making choices that impact many lives, including those of your family.

    The gameplay can get intense at times as you hurry to process as many people correctly as possible. Papers, Please had me hooked very quickly, and never let go. I'm planning to continue playing even though I've beaten the story twice, just to get all the endings and maybe try out endless mode. There's not much music, but what's there is great and fits the game incredbily well. The graphics are beautiful. Arstotska is mostly devoid of color, and this game looks as it should. The game controls almost entirely with the mouse, allowing keyboard shortcuts if you have the money to buy them and increase your efficiency.

    I picked up Papers, Please at full price, and it was absolutely worth it. This is one of the best indie games I've played, and I think it's absolutely worth $10. I'd recommend it to just about anyone.

    Note: the game has a little non-sexual nudity that can be disabled in the options.    … Expand
  4. Xenten
    Oct 17, 2013
    9
    There’s no way any number of reviews could have prompted me to buy this game. It took a personal recommendation from a trusted friend to get me to pick up “Papers, Please,” and even then I was skeptical. After 20 minutes of playing, I was mesmerized by the cadence, the intelligence, the humor, and the addictive nature of the game, and simultaneously mortified that there are people whoThere’s no way any number of reviews could have prompted me to buy this game. It took a personal recommendation from a trusted friend to get me to pick up “Papers, Please,” and even then I was skeptical. After 20 minutes of playing, I was mesmerized by the cadence, the intelligence, the humor, and the addictive nature of the game, and simultaneously mortified that there are people who actually look at passports all day long for a living.

    Don’t get me wrong, Papers, Please is a great game, thoroughly entertaining, challenging, and surprisingly effective at drawing you into the narrative. While you might shudder a bit at just how real it all feels the developers did much to make your booth feel cramped and claustrophobic it rewards meticulous attention to detail and quick adaptability, as any good strategy game should. And it keeps you wanting to play just a bit longer in order to see what happens the following day.

    A great investment for $10 or less, Papers, Please combines a surprising amount of depth and a compelling narrative with solid gameplay that keeps you on your toes. If only the graphics were modern, bringing out the detail of all the people, passports, and papers you encounter, Papers, Please would rate an easy 10.    … Expand
  5. Raspiz
    Sep 21, 2013
    9
    This is a puzzle game where the player has 'won' the privilege of being selected to work border patrol in a fictional eastern bloc country in the early 80's. You are tasked with determining who can and cannot gain entry into the country by examining their documents and looking for errors and forgeries. This is not a game for everyone. The whole premise is built around your attention toThis is a puzzle game where the player has 'won' the privilege of being selected to work border patrol in a fictional eastern bloc country in the early 80's. You are tasked with determining who can and cannot gain entry into the country by examining their documents and looking for errors and forgeries. This is not a game for everyone. The whole premise is built around your attention to detail. It sort of reminds me of those sections in newspapers where you try to find the differences between two pictures.

    The core gameplay stays the same, you never leave your booth. However, new rules, regulations, and abilities make each day slightly different and will challenge even the most obsessive compulsive person. You are a poorly paid bureaucrat in a fascist nation. Will you take the bribe to let someone through? It may be the difference between your son getting medicine or dying. Is the risk worth it or will your superiors notice?

    I think I had the most fun playing with my girlfriend and working together to look for discrepancies. It especially helped during the more difficult sections where multiple documents must be inspected at once.

    The graphic style and music is very basic but the whole thing works out well. There's a black humor that pervades the game and keeps it interesting. Overall the game is very unique and interesting if nothing else. I feel I got my money's worth and would be interested to see an expansion or sequel to this premise.    … Expand
  6. Marcballer
    Aug 12, 2013
    9
    An overall accurately reviewed game. Definitely worth 10$ and worth your time. However it's not for everyone. A niche title through and through that's only fun on play on try number 2 and up. First time is a bombardment of exponentially growing criteria and discrepancies that simply boggle the mind, clutter the desk and get your mother in law killed. Not for those who are afraid ofAn overall accurately reviewed game. Definitely worth 10$ and worth your time. However it's not for everyone. A niche title through and through that's only fun on play on try number 2 and up. First time is a bombardment of exponentially growing criteria and discrepancies that simply boggle the mind, clutter the desk and get your mother in law killed. Not for those who are afraid of games like Dark Souls where death and failure are constant teachers. It's a fresh, fun, innovative, and unique game that will challenge the memory and patience of those with the mind for it. Bravo for making a fantastic game out of a mostly mundane job!… Expand
  7. 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
  8. Cytokinesis
    Aug 8, 2013
    9
    One of the best games of recent years. It has become one of my favorite and most memorable games of all time right beside games like Baldur's Gate 2 and the Half Life series. It is an extremely bleak and depressing game that really makes you appreciate everything. The sound is great and I will never forget the sound of the horn. The gameplay is very simple but detail oriented. At firstOne of the best games of recent years. It has become one of my favorite and most memorable games of all time right beside games like Baldur's Gate 2 and the Half Life series. It is an extremely bleak and depressing game that really makes you appreciate everything. The sound is great and I will never forget the sound of the horn. The gameplay is very simple but detail oriented. At first glance it seems quite boring but the stakes are so high that you try to counterbalance speed and thoroughness in order to make it to the next day. It is one of the few games I have ever played that I would consider a masterpiece and possibly even art. It is enthralling and it sucks you in in a way that no other game really does. If you want a unique experience give it a shot and see if it grabs you because it is unlike everything else on the market now or that I can remember.… Expand
  9. timmytime
    Sep 21, 2013
    9
    Made me feel empathy with a group of people that I'd never ever considered border inspectors, as well as deepen my empathy for the people that are denied by them and even those that get through the process. One of the most interesting games I've ever played, certainly of this year. I admit the core mechanic can get repetitive and tedious towards the end, especially if you play it in oneMade me feel empathy with a group of people that I'd never ever considered border inspectors, as well as deepen my empathy for the people that are denied by them and even those that get through the process. One of the most interesting games I've ever played, certainly of this year. I admit the core mechanic can get repetitive and tedious towards the end, especially if you play it in one sitting (which you can do!) but it also maintains tension throughout the the entirety of the game because of the high stakes. Play this game.… Expand
  10. Eliwood
    Aug 13, 2013
    9
    This game is really unique and I had SO MUCH fun playing it. It is a little repetitive but it still tries to introduce a new element every day.
    I really loved feeling that I can help fighting against Arstotzka helping that mysterious man, and yet I didn't want to risk lives of my family. So I balanced on the edge deciding what is a too big risk and what I can try to do. Brilliant.
  11. Polarthief
    Nov 9, 2013
    9
    This is the kind of game that was made for people with OCD, such as myself, though people without the explainable compulsion disorder will appreciate and like it to, but I will definitely agree, this game is NOT for everyone. It pulls at your heart when a woman who is not permitted to go through with her husband, and YOU'RE the one who must choose between letting her pass or not. A lot canThis is the kind of game that was made for people with OCD, such as myself, though people without the explainable compulsion disorder will appreciate and like it to, but I will definitely agree, this game is NOT for everyone. It pulls at your heart when a woman who is not permitted to go through with her husband, and YOU'RE the one who must choose between letting her pass or not. A lot can be said about this game, but I'd say to just try it for yourself.… Expand
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. sergiomach5
    Aug 22, 2013
    9
    Strangely absorbing game where you simulate work as a border control inspector during the communist era eastern bloc and have to work to feed your family. A great example of gameplay over graphics, must be played to be believed
  15. steveforrest
    Aug 10, 2013
    9
    Yes, it could be considered repetitive and monotonous, but the goal of this game is not to be action packed. Rather it is to make you think. Finding discrepancies is surprisingly engaging at points, and while trying to keep all the specific papers, stamps and whatnot organized and in your head can be difficult and occasionally overwhelming, it proves to be a surprisingly engrossing andYes, it could be considered repetitive and monotonous, but the goal of this game is not to be action packed. Rather it is to make you think. Finding discrepancies is surprisingly engaging at points, and while trying to keep all the specific papers, stamps and whatnot organized and in your head can be difficult and occasionally overwhelming, it proves to be a surprisingly engrossing and sometimes even addictive. Along with a unique art style, amusing dialogue. and a surprisingly catchy theme song (not quite sure why,) Papers, Please is a pleasant surprise and well worth ten dollars and some free time.… Expand
  16. AdderTude
    Aug 19, 2013
    9
    I first caught wind of this peculiar game when I briefly worked for a small-time website. I decided to look into it for myself about the game and I was impressed by its concept.

    Being a checkpoint officer looking at a bunch of immigration documents may seem like it's boring work, but throw in the constant threat of terrorists looking to breach the safety of the wall, coupled with the    I first caught wind of this peculiar game when I briefly worked for a small-time website. I decided to look into it for myself about the game and I was impressed by its concept.

    Being a checkpoint officer looking at a bunch of immigration documents may seem like it's boring work, but throw in the constant threat of terrorists looking to breach the safety of the wall, coupled with the fact that you have a large family to look after (seeing as how you're the only breadwinner), makes for an unforgettable experience. Trying to follow protocol as quickly and as accurately as possible is much harder than it looks, as your superiors are constantly monitoring your work. For example, the lady you just stamped a visa for had as minor a detail as the wrong gender on her passport. Of course, practice makes (almost) perfect; some days you can get through without a hitch, others you missed a slight detail or two.

    The concept is well-built into the story. Especially with a guy named Jorji. Once you've played through it, you'll come to like Jorji as I have. Developer Lucas Pope made a fantastic game and I'll be sure to keep a watch for more title from him.    … Expand
  17. Gnawer
    Aug 16, 2013
    9
    Surprisingly entertaining game, considering how simple it is. Gives some insight to a real-world passport control job. Graphics could be better, but it's not a big flaw in this case.
  18. 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
  19. MGTE
    Sep 7, 2013
    9
    It's October 1982 and your name is pulled from the labor lottery which makes you the newest employee of the Ministry of Admissions in Arstotzka You are immediately assigned to a newly acquired Grestin Border Checkpoint which is not all that secure a lot of people are trying to get in and it's your job to make sure that the right people are getting in and the wrong people are stayingIt's October 1982 and your name is pulled from the labor lottery which makes you the newest employee of the Ministry of Admissions in Arstotzka You are immediately assigned to a newly acquired Grestin Border Checkpoint which is not all that secure a lot of people are trying to get in and it's your job to make sure that the right people are getting in and the wrong people are staying behind.

    Although the gameplay is simplistic you will find that the difficulty ramps up very quickly as you are given more documents to sort through. This difficulties compound by the fact you are trying to earn as much money as possible by processing as many people as you can in order to feed and support your family. While this creates a lot of tension in the game it has unfortunate side effect that also makes the interface more cluttered which can have a disadvantageous effect when you are trying to juggle all the different papers, it can become very confusing and very frustrating.

    This is really a minor complaint because overall the game is absolutely excellent, the story is immersive and there is a lot of interesting characters throughout but what makes this game so special is its atmosphere, from the RT soundtrack to the excellent dialogue, you legitimately feel that you are a part of a war-torn communist steep.

    In conclusion, Papers,pleas is an incredibly unique game that I think everybody should experience.    … Expand
  20. Rekia
    Oct 8, 2013
    9
    At first this game disturbed me because it was exactly like a job I had working in a call center for car insurance. Get name, match ID, match permit, make sure someone isn't trying to pawn off fake or expired information, which happens all the time, (all while attempting to do it as quickly as possible so you don't get in trouble for taking too long) and then do your best only to have yourAt first this game disturbed me because it was exactly like a job I had working in a call center for car insurance. Get name, match ID, match permit, make sure someone isn't trying to pawn off fake or expired information, which happens all the time, (all while attempting to do it as quickly as possible so you don't get in trouble for taking too long) and then do your best only to have your boss come down on you and be like "his permit was expired, did you even look?!"

    But then this game becomes more complex. You're stuck at a job, not even making enough money to keep your family warm and fed, when someone offers you a bribe to let them in. Should you do the right thing and detain them? Or should you take the money to buy the medicine that your son so desperately needs?

    I was shocked when I had to scan one of the immigrants so see if they were hiding any contraband and a fuzzy, dark, nude picture of them appears on my desk. The picture was so invasive, it reminded me instantly of a country where the people have no rights.

    It's a surprisingly emotional game, with complex moral decisions.    … Expand
  21. 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.
  22. GeekFurious
    Aug 26, 2013
    9
    This is one of those unique games that, unless you are simply focused on the task at hand, carries with it profound questions about the nature of mankind and how we build societies.
  23. TimmytheGamer
    Aug 14, 2013
    9
    Strangely addicting! Your must complete your job with diligence and speed! You are paid for each person successfully processed through your check point. Glory to Arstotzka!
  24. jonzes
    Aug 28, 2013
    9
    Wow, what an original game. It has been well described by others so I will just say it may not be a game I play for 40 hours but it IS a game I will tell all my friends about and I will remember some of the things that happened in it long after generic shooter #213 and generic RP #695 are both long forgotten. So totally worth the ten bucks.
  25. Shenanigoats
    Aug 9, 2013
    9
    This game is good, but it does have a few flaws. Having worked a similar situation in real life, the penalty/reward system seems a bit harsh. Denying entry based on suspicion is not typically frowned upon. Also, as mentioned in other reviews, checking height and weight is both difficult to do if you weren't brought up in the metric system and mechanically frustrating (I knew someone was aThis game is good, but it does have a few flaws. Having worked a similar situation in real life, the penalty/reward system seems a bit harsh. Denying entry based on suspicion is not typically frowned upon. Also, as mentioned in other reviews, checking height and weight is both difficult to do if you weren't brought up in the metric system and mechanically frustrating (I knew someone was a wrong weight but I couldn't call them out on it). That being said, this game is incredibly fun to play. 20 different endings is nice and all, but each day is scripted and rewards/punishments are always the same, making for about two legit replays for the intelligent player.… Expand
  26. netadptr0719
    Aug 12, 2013
    9
    You wouldn't think that a game with such a simple idea could be so good and so deep. Once you start playing though it actually has a way of pulling you in to the story and the consequences for you decisions. The game starts off easy enough, don't let this fool you though, as the game progresses there is a lot to take into consideration before letting someone though. You are paid on a perYou wouldn't think that a game with such a simple idea could be so good and so deep. Once you start playing though it actually has a way of pulling you in to the story and the consequences for you decisions. The game starts off easy enough, don't let this fool you though, as the game progresses there is a lot to take into consideration before letting someone though. You are paid on a per person basis and this forces you to try and balance getting the people through as fast as you can while trying to not let anything bad slip though. The game is semi-forgiving and you are allowed two mess ups a day, this sounds like plenty but you'd be surprised how many things will slip right past you. Right now you can get it on Steam for only $9.99 and for all the fun that the game provides that is a very low price.… Expand
  27. TheTruePatriot
    Aug 12, 2013
    9
    I started this game thinking it would get boring rather easily, but I was extremely wrong. All the mechanics are fantastic and fun. Everything is greatly tied into one big package and the story is just extremely fun to go through. I'd recommend it to anyone.
  28. permintcuzzi
    Aug 14, 2013
    9
    Awesome game. I am all up for short games/mini games that doesn't hook you up for days and weeks. This is the perfect game to play with when I have few hours to kill. would give 10 if they bump up the graphics. But this is just a minor issue, really. It's all about the gameplay experience, which they did deliver.
  29. PeCCe
    Nov 8, 2013
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The visual style of the game gives the gameplay and background story even more boost. While most of the indie games are neat, this stands up as an extraordinary experience as a regular person doing regular job in a government so vile, that ''Glory to Arstotzka'' gives me chills.… Expand
  30. 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.
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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 »