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 73,679 reviews of which 71,673 were positive and 2,006 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. š
The game is currently priced at 9.75ā¬ on Steam.
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.
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, itās 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 thatās 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 taskāit 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. Itās 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 doesnāt tell its story through cutscenes or dialogue-heavy sequences. Instead, itās 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 werenāt easy, and they stayed with me long after Iād finished playing. The gameās 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 gameās presentation pulls you into its world. The daily walk to the checkpoint, the sounds of the office, and the way characters react to your decisionsāall 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. Itās 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. Itās 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. Itās 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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No joke, this game made me better at my job. Playing this has gotten me to be pretty good at quickly scanning documents and identifying potential discrepancies IRL, and I use that at my job when I check ID's, verify documents, and input them into a computer. 10/10
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Papers, Please is currently priced at 9.75ā¬ on Steam.
Papers, Please is currently not on sale. You can purchase it for 9.75ā¬ on Steam.
Papers, Please received 71,673 positive votes out of a total of 73,679 achieving an impressive rating of 9.57.
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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 | 26 April 2025 16:10 |
|---|---|
| SteamSpy data | 27 April 2025 13:51 |
| Steam price | 29 April 2025 20:47 |
| Steam reviews | 29 April 2025 05:45 |
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
296
Developer
Lucas Pope
Publisher
3909
Release
08 Aug 2013
Platforms
Remote Play