Papers, Please on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information
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Congratulations. The October labor lottery is complete. Your name was pulled. For immediate placement, report to the Ministry of Admission at Grestin Border Checkpoint. An apartment will be provided for you and your family in East Grestin. Expect a Class-8 dwelling.
Papers, Please is a indie, political and simulation game
developed by Lucas Pope
and published by 3909.
Released on August 08th 2013 is available on Windows, MacOS and Linux
in 15 languages: English, French, German, Spanish - Spain, Portuguese - Brazil, Russian, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Ukrainian, Czech, Simplified Chinese, Turkish, Basque and Korean.
It has received 74,187 reviews of which 72,168 were positive and 2,019 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. 😍
The game is currently priced at 9.75€ on Steam, but you can find it for 8.79€ on Gamivo.
The Steam community has classified Papers, Please into these genres:
System requirements
These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.
Windows
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS *: Windows XP or later
- Processor: 1.5 GHz Core2Duo
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
- Graphics: OpenGL 1.4 or better
- Storage: 100 MB available space
- Additional Notes: Minimum 1280x720 screen resolution
MacOS
- OS: OSX Mountain Lion (10.8)
- Processor: 1.5 GHz Core2Duo
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
- Graphics: OpenGL 1.4 or better
- Storage: 100 MB available space
- Additional Notes: Minimum 1280x720 screen resolution
Linux
- Processor: 1.5 GHz Core2Duo
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
- Storage: 100 MB available space
- Additional Notes: Minimum 1280x720 screen resolution
User reviews & Ratings
Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.
Cause no trouble. I didn't expect to spend an entire Sunday doing clerical work... but I also didn't expect Papers, Please to be a tight management game with (20) possible endings and plenty of min/max-ing potential. At time of writing, I'm a few endings and one achievement shy of 100%, and can't believe I waited 11 years to play this. Story Welcome to Arstotzka, November 1982: in the aftermath of a Six-Year War against the neighboring state of Kolechia, a new checkpoint has been established in a contested border city and you were randomly selected as the document inspector. Your family is relocated from your rural village to a class-8 apartment (not subsidized) in East Grestin, and you're compensated based on how many passports and visas you can accurately process per day... which becomes fewer and fewer as new rules are introduced in response to civil unrest and terrorist attacks. Gameplay Most gameplay is point-and-click: you're shuffling through rules, maps, wanted persons lists, papers, etc. to identify, highlight, and resolve discrepancies. At the same time, you have to stay on top of ever-changing requirements and earn enough money to survive -- whether by doing your job well or by taking bribes. It sounds a bit dreadful, and you're meant to struggle at first, but it's a strangely addictive and immersive puzzle; I kept restarting days to try and earn more or receive fewer citations. Meanwhile, there's intense political drama and smaller personal stories unfolding around you, and your choices directly impact how characters interact with you. After finishing a day, you can create a "branching timeline" by replaying it and making different decisions, which makes it easier to see the different endings. When you unlock Ending 20, you also unlock the code for "Endless Mode." If you struggle with dyslexia, you're in for a challenge. Many of the "errors" are subtle; a swapped vowel here, a consonant there, a single number difference in the State ID. The pixellated font can be hard to read, and I made a few mistakes because I couldn't distinguish letters from each other. Final Thoughts I can't say what specifically compelled me to play for 10 hours straight and then immediately draft a review, but I suspect it comes down to the tense atmosphere, the high-stakes race against the clock while terrorists open fire, the variety of emerging stories (Jorji for the win), and the dopamine rush of getting everything right... only to realize that you still can't afford your uncle's medicine. For a simple pixel-art game with open source sound effects, Papers, Please has a ton of style. Every gameplay mechanic and every design choice -- the limited color palette, severe music, finally finding your rhythm only for the government to rewrite the rules -- adds to the sense of trying to stay afloat in a terrible Orwellian dystopia. But it's also fun. It's just -- it's so good. MAJOR SPOILER! I was completely caught off-guard by the realization that the game never rewards you for protecting more than one family member, and you're better off letting everyone die early. I kept my wife and son alive for roleplay purposes, but doing so made it harder to progress, and I kind of love that. Recommendation If you enjoy logic games, thought-provoking stories, and some good ol' high-stress time pressure, then this is absolutely phenomenal. If you enjoyed Ravenous Devils or Beholder , I think you'll be particularly impressed by this classic game. Follow [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/45365863/]Eekz Today for more crafting, life sim, management, puzzle, and story-rich recommendations.
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I'll admit that when I heard about Papers, Please...it didn't sound all that exciting. I mean the premise of game where you need to check people's information and documents just seemed mundane. However, it would prove to be a unique and compelling storytelling experience. The game takes place in the fictional dystopian country known as Arstotzka. You are tasked with being a border inspector, and ensuring that only the more desirable people are allowed into the country. As the days progress, more of the story unfolds. You need to work hard enough to earn enough money so your family doesn't starve or freeze to death. Your morality will be put to the test as you decide whether to follow the strict rules of the state or to allow certain people who are fleeing from oppression or worse. To compound matters, you also need to be able to process enough people in a day so that you aren't penalized. Visually the repressive mood is reflected in the the pixel graphic style. The sound work is simplistic but does a great job of conveying the authoritarian nature of the situation, and although the music is seldom, it is likewise impactful. There are multiple endings depending on the decisions made during the course of the game. Papers, Please is a gaming gem and proves that videogames can be a fantastic medium to convey distinct and thought-provoking narratives.
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This game is great because it seems like the checking paper work would be really boring but then it IS fun and the next thing you know you are xenophobic communist.
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Papers, Please is a game that surprised me in ways I didn't expect. On the surface, it’s a simple document-checking simulator where you play as a border agent in the fictional Eastern Bloc country of Arstotzka. But beneath that exterior lies a game that’s immersive, thought-provoking, and unexpectedly emotional. Gameplay: The Pressure Cooker From the moment I started, Papers, Please drew me in with its unique premise. As the days go by, the job of checking passports and verifying documents becomes more than just a routine task—it becomes a balancing act between efficiency and morality. The gameplay is deceptively simple, but as new rules are introduced and the stakes rise, the pressure becomes palpable. I found myself getting deeply involved in the minutiae of the job. Checking for discrepancies, making sure all the dates and names matched up, and dealing with the ever-changing regulations was both stressful and engrossing. What really stood out was how the game made me feel like I was really there, in that grim little booth, making decisions that had real consequences. It’s rare for a game to make me feel so immersed in a role, but Papers, Please nailed it. Narrative: A Story of Struggle and Survival What elevates Papers, Please beyond a simple simulator is its narrative. The game doesn’t tell its story through cutscenes or dialogue-heavy sequences. Instead, it’s woven into the daily interactions with the people passing through your checkpoint. Each person has a story, and every choice you make affects not only your fate but theirs as well. One of the most compelling aspects of the game is how it handles moral dilemmas. There were moments when I had to decide whether to follow the rules or show compassion to someone in a desperate situation. These choices weren’t easy, and they stayed with me long after I’d finished playing. The game’s multiple endings reflect the paths you take, adding layers of depth to the experience. Presentation: A Bleak Yet Captivating World Visually, Papers, Please uses a minimalist pixel art style that perfectly suits its bleak, dystopian setting. The muted colors and stark environments contribute to the oppressive atmosphere, making you feel the weight of your role in this authoritarian world. The sound design is equally effective, with every stamp, click, and alert heightening the tension and immersion. What really struck me was how the game’s presentation pulls you into its world. The daily walk to the checkpoint, the sounds of the office, and the way characters react to your decisions—all these elements come together to create a game that feels grounded and real, despite its abstract style. Verdict Papers, Please is more than just a game about checking passports. It’s an exploration of power, responsibility, and the human condition. The way it blends gameplay with narrative to create a cohesive, impactful experience is nothing short of brilliant. It’s a game that challenges you not just as a player, but as a person, forcing you to confront your own morals and ethics in a way that few games do. For anyone looking for a unique and immersive experience, Papers, Please is a must-play. It’s a game that lingers in your mind, making you think about the choices you made and the lives you affected. In the world of indie games, Papers, Please stands out as a masterpiece. Score: 9/10 - A gripping and thought-provoking experience that leaves a lasting impact.
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I was sceptical of this game at first. Where is the fun in checking documents? - I thought. But now I get why this game is so ridiculously popular. At first you are only checking small things like dates etc. but gradually it increases to at times having to check 5 documents etc.. But that is not where the fun lies in this game. There are tens of side stories missions and there is even a roleplay element involved. Will you be a heartless, cold and iron fisted border officer or rather a compassionate one that is willing to get his pay docked for the well-being of another person. It is for you to decide. I don't write reviews very often, but for this one I will. One personal fear I had with this game were the graphics, with everything being quite pixelated, but I have to say, while you notice it, it really adds to the game rather than subtracts from it. To sum up everything: 10/10 - Buy it
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Frequently Asked Questions
Papers, Please is currently priced at 9.75€ on Steam.
Papers, Please is currently not on sale. You can purchase it for 9.75€ on Steam.
Papers, Please received 72,168 positive votes out of a total of 74,187 achieving an impressive rating of 9.57.
😍
Papers, Please was developed by Lucas Pope and published by 3909.
Papers, Please is playable and fully supported on Windows.
Papers, Please is playable and fully supported on MacOS.
Papers, Please is playable and fully supported on Linux.
Papers, Please is a single-player game.
Papers, Please does not currently offer any DLC.
Papers, Please does not support mods via Steam Workshop.
Papers, Please supports Remote Play on Phone and Remote Play on Tablet. Discover more about Steam Remote Play.
Papers, Please is enabled for Steam Family Sharing. This means you can share the game with authorized users from your Steam Library, allowing them to play it on their own accounts. For more details on how the feature works, you can read the original Steam Family Sharing announcement or visit the Steam Family Sharing user guide and FAQ page.
You can find solutions or submit a support ticket by visiting the Steam Support page for Papers, Please.
Data sources
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Additionally, we incorporate data from the SteamSpy API, which offers insights into game sales and player statistics. This helps us present a comprehensive view of each game's popularity and performance within the gaming community.
Last Updates| Steam data | 08 June 2025 21:19 |
|---|---|
| SteamSpy data | 10 June 2025 04:26 |
| Steam price | 14 June 2025 20:42 |
| Steam reviews | 13 June 2025 00:03 |
If you'd like to dive deeper into the details about Papers, Please, we invite you to check out a few dedicated websites that offer extensive information and insights. These platforms provide valuable data, analysis, and user-generated reports to enhance your understanding of the game and its performance.
- SteamDB - A comprehensive database of everything on Steam about Papers, Please
- SteamCharts - Analysis of Papers, Please concurrent players on Steam
- ProtonDB - Crowdsourced reports on Linux and Steam Deck Papers, Please compatibility
Game modes
Features
Online players
419
Developer
Lucas Pope
Publisher
3909
Release
08 Aug 2013
Platforms
Remote Play
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